■ 
ma ^ 

mm. 



:§1 



mm 



III 

mm 



it 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

v. t ^ \ 

%p + .--- ... 8op$ri$t fy* 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



MATERIA MEDICA, 
PHARMACY, PHARMACOLOGY. 

AND 

THEEAPEUTIOS. 



NOTICES OF THE PRESS 

OF THE 

FIRST AMERICAN EDITION. 



From the Therapeutic Gazette. — " Practical experience with Dr. White's 
book on general therapeutics, both as to its usefulness to the student and as to 
the soundness of the advice which he gives, has proved that he is an author 
upon whom much dependence may be placed, and a careful examination of the 
American version of his second work, which has been published under Dr. 
Wilcox's eye, show that it also is worthy of both its author and its editor. As 
with most books, it has been found impossible to prevent a few errors from 
creeping in. These, however, have many of them been eliminated by the 
American editor, so that in this respect the American edition is an improvement 
over that of the English, and, as it has been brought into harmony with the U. S. 
Pharmacopoeia, there is nothing to prevent it from becoming a popular text-book." 

From the American Lancet. — " The necessities of the physician in modern 
times are such that, if he is to properly perform his professional duties, his lit- 
erary pabulum must be furnished him in readily assimilable form. The author 
of this book has borne this fact in mind in preparing his original edition ; and the 
editor, Dr. Wilcox, in adapting it for the American profession, has ably seconded 
the author in his efforts to present a vast array of facts, which are so arranged as 
to give the reader information that he might have to search for through Maisch's 
Materia Medica, Remington's Pharmacy and Wood's Therapeutics, or the Phar- 
macopoeia. ... As a modern and helpful index to the essential facts of the 
resources of therapeutics in the last decade of the nineteenth century, it will be 
found a most convenient reference for the professional reader We are inclined 
to the belief that on account of its utility there will be a large demand for it, 
and experience in using it will justify the good words that have been said of it." 

From the Maryland Medical Journal. — " The author and editor have brought 
out a book both compact and without omissions, which should appeal to every 
under-graduate as of especial help in the class-room. . . . Great brevity 
of expression is shown throughout this work, and in some places it is almost too 
lexicon-like to brighten the usually dull subject of Materia Medica. . . . The 
reputation of the author and editor will be sufficient guarantee of the practical 
usefulness of the book, and it is sure to find a place in many schools of this 
country and England." 

From the Boston Medical and Surgical Journal. — " The work of the Ameri- 
can editor has been well done and note has been made of the most recent 
remedial agents." 

From the Bulletin of Pharmacy. — " Altogether there is enough in the work 
to rank it among the most valuable of hand-books for both pharmacist and phy- 
sician. We are glad that through this edition Dr. Hale White's book is likely 
to become better known to Americans. So much of success would be"assured 
to it by the growing popularity of its editor as a medical teacher and writer, but 
it is also pleasant to feel that the book is likely to treat its editor equally as well." 

From the American Therapist. — " The advantages of a book of this kind 
are to be found in its brevity and condensation ; qualities which will not fail to 
commend it to the student, for whom it is specially designed." 

From the New York Medical Record. — " Tlbis is a well arranged, concise, 
and handy work on Materia Medica, excellent as a reference manual or as a 
text book for students attending lectures on the subject." «• 

*** The price of this book is $3.00 in cloth binding, or $3.50 in full leather. It 
may be obtained through any bookseller, or upon receipt of price will be sent, 
postpaid, to any address, by the publishers. 



MATERIA MEDICA 



PHARMACY, PHARMACOLOGY 



AND 



THERAPEUTICS 



BY 



W. HALE WHITE, M.D., F. R. C. P., 

PHYSICIAN TO, AND LECTURER ON MATERIA MEDICA AND THERAPEUTICS AT, GUY'S 

HOSPITAL, LONDON J EXAMINER IN MATERIA MEDICA TO THE CONJOINT BOARD 

OF ENGLAND ; AUTHOR OF A TEXT-BOOK OF GENERAL THERAPEUTICS. 



EDITED BY 

REYNOLD W. WILCOX, M.A., M.D., LL.D., 

PROFESSOR OF CLINICAL MEDICINE AND THERAPEUTICS AT THE NEW YORK POST-GRADUATE 

MEDICAL SCHOOL AND HOSPITAL ; VISITING PHYSICIAN TO ST. MARK'S HOSPITAL | 

ASSISTANT VISITING PHYSICIAN TO BELLEVUE HOSPITAL ; FELLOW OF THE 

AMERICAN, AND OF THE NEW YORK ACADEMY OF MEDICINE, ETC. 



SECOND AMERICAN EDITION, 

THOROUGHLY REVISED. 



AUi> 16 i894 

PHILADELPHIA 



C 



P. BLAKISTON, SON & CO., 

1012 WALNUT STREET. 

1894. 



?A 






•^ 



^K 



Copyright, 1894, by 
P. BLAKISTON, SON & CO. 



Made by 

The .las. B. Rodgers Printing Co. 

52 k 54 N. Sixth Street, 

Philadelphia. 



r 

- \e 

1 <?p 
f ^o 

' ^ PREFACE TO THE SECOND AMERICAN EDITION. 



The Editor, in revising this book, has taken the opportunity 
to correct the errors which had escaped observation in the first 
edition. The radical changes introduced in the last edition of 
the United States Pharmacopoeia has necessitated the rewriting 
of the entire descriptive part of the Materia Medica. The defi- 
nitions which had been left unchanged from the English edition 
received adverse criticism- from the reviewers. In order to adapt 
this section of the book to the needs of American students, it 
has been completely rewritten, and for valuable assistance, the 
Editor would acknowledge his great indebtedness to Dr. Henry 
H. Rusby and to Dr. Charles Rice. The pharmaceutical pro- 
cesses have been carefully compared with those of Remington's 
Practice of Pharmacy. The composition of the drugs of the 
Organic Materia Medica has been studied with the help of 
Maisch's Organic Materia Medica and of Sohn's Dictionary of 
the Active Principles of Plants. The unofficial preparations 
have been reviewed after consideration of the recent literature 
and the Editor's practical experience with them. Die Neueren 
Arzneimittel of Fischer (Sixth Edition) has also been consulted. 
To the many teachers who, from use of the work in the class- 
room, and to the reviewers, who have read the book, the Editor 
would tender his appreciation of their courtesy in making many 
and valuable suggestions. 



PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. 



In writing this book, I have derived help from the works 
of many authors, but especially from those of Mitchell Bruce, 
Lauder Brunton, Ringer, Shoemaker, Martindale and Westcott, 
Squire, and Elborne. 



The Editor, in bringing this book into harmony with the 
United States Pharmacopoeia, has made free use of the works 
of Potter, Wood, Hare, Bartholow, Biddle, and of the United 
States Dispensatory. 

The unofficial preparations have received especial attention. 
For this section he has consulted Lescher's Recent Materia 
Medica, Davis' Pharmacology of the Newer Materia Medica, 
and as well his own journal files, which comprise all the periodi- 
cals devoted to the subjects upon which this volume treats. 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE 

Definitions '. 9 

Pharmacy 1 1 

Pharmacology and Therapeutics 33 

Prescribing . . 36 

Actions of Drugs 41 

Drugs acting on Processes outside the Body 42 

Drugs acting on the Blood 45 

Drugs acting on the Cardiac Mechanism 49 

Drugs acting on the Vessels 53 

Drugs acting on the Skin 57 

Drugs acting on the Urinary System 60 

Drugs acting on Bodily Heat 64 

Drugs acting on Respiration 67 

Drugs acting on the Digestive Apparatus 72 

Drugs acting on the Nervous [and Muscular] Systems 91 

Drugs acting on the Organs of Generation 104 

Drugs acting on Metabolism 106 

Pharmacopceial Inorganic Materia Medica — 

Group I. Water 108 

II. The Alkaline Metals 113 

III. The Alkaline Earths . 139 

IV. Lead, Silver, Zinc, Copper, Bismuth 152 

V. Iron and Manganese 167 

VI. [Gold and] Mercury 186 

VII. Arsenic, Antimony, Chromium 198 

VIII. Phosphorus 209 

7 



5 CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

IX. Chlorine, Iodine, Bromine 214 

X. Sulphur 227 

XI. Acids 231 

XII. Carbon and its Compounds 242 

Pharmacopceial Organic Vegetable Materia Medica — 

Group I. Drugs acting on the Nervous System 290 

II. Drugs acting on the Heart 350 

III. Drugs acting on the Respiratory Organs 371 

IV. Drugs which are Antiperiodic and Antipyretic .... 384 
V. Purgatives 405 

VI. Volatile Oils 433 

VII. Bitters 489 

VIII. Astringents 500 

IX. Demulcents 511 

X. Parasiticides 524 

XI. Diuretics 531 

XII. [Drugs acting upon the Uterus] 535 

XIII. Colchicum . 540 

XIV. Stearoptens 542 

XV. Drugs containing Important Acids 547 

XVI. Flavoring Agents 554 

XVII. Coloring Agents 558 

XVIII. Drugs whose Action is Mechanical 559 

XIX. Drugs whose Action is Unknown 564 

Pharmacopceial Organic Animal Materia Medica 575 

Appendix No. I. Non-Pharmacopceial Remedies [Official in B. P.] 589 

[Appendix No. II. Non-Pharmacopceial Remedies] 611 

Appendix No. II[I.] Vegetable Natural Orders 639 

Appendix No. I[V.] Latin Phrases used in Prescriptions. . . . 644 

Index 646 



MATERIA MEDICA 
PHARMACY, PHARMACOLOGY 

AND 

THERAPEUTICS. 



DEFINITIONS. 

Materia Medica. [The materials used in the treatment of 
diseases. 

Therapeutics. The application of remedial agents in the 
treatment of disease. It includes : 

General Therapeutics. The application of curative 
agents other than drugs and medicines.] E. g., diet, 
climate, baths, venesection. 

Rational Therapeutics. [Therapeutics based upon 
Pharmaco-dynamics.] E. g., the use of digitalis for 
mitral disease. 

Empirical Therapeutics. [Therapeutics based upon 
clinical experiences only. E. g., the use of mercury 
for syphilis.] 

In this work we shall consider only that part of Therapeu- 
tics which is concerned with drugs. 

[Therapeutics. Although the correct definition of this 
term is as given above, yet it is, for want of a better 
one, often used as the name of the branch of study 
which deals with Therapeutics. Therapo-dynamics 
has been used in the same sense, but is faulty. Expe- 
rimental Therapeutics has been suggested, but is 
not comprehensive. 

9 



IO DEFINITIONS. 

Pharmacology. The study of Materia Medica and Thera- 
peutics, including the origin, history, properties and uses of drugs 
and medicines. It includes : 

Pharmacognosy. The study of the physical and 
chemical characters of drugs, and the art of identify- 
ing and selecting them in accordance with those char- 
acters. 
Pharmaco-dynamics. The study of the action of 
remedial agents upon the organism of man, or the 
lower animals in a state of health. 
Toxicology. The study of the nature, effects and detection 
of poisons, substances which, introduced into the body inoppor- 
tunely or in excessive amounts, are capable of destroying life. 
Courses of study and treatises upon Toxicology are, for conveni- 
ence, commonly made to include the subject of antidotes and 
treatment, although this is, strictly speaking, a part of Thera- 
peutics. 

Pharmacy. The art of preparing drugs in a form suitable 
for use as remedial agents and of dispensing them. 

Pharmacopoeia. A code of remedial agents, usually with 
descriptions, definitions or directions, prepared by experts ap- 
pointed by an authority of some kind, and intended to serve as 
a standard until superseded by a new one. By admitting cer- 
tain articles to its pages, it declares them to be of importance, 
through the extent of their use, or to be entitled to confidence 
because of their value, or both, in the practice of medicine, but 
does not, necessarily, deny these properties to articles not 
admitted. It fixes their official title or titles, and often their 
leading synonym or synonyms. Usually it defines them, de- 
scribes them with sufficient completeness to provide for identi- 
fication and determination of the proper degree of purity, or 
strength, or both, and details and recommends such operations 
in preparing them as pertain to a dispensing pharmacy. It may 
in addition, fix or limit doses and provide rules, formulae, tables, 
and other information and directions of importance in the 
practice of pharmacy and medicine. It also fixes a date upon 



PHARMACY. I I 

which its authority shall commence. Everything contained in 
the Pharmacopoeia is said to be Official. Certain rules are fol- 
lowed for revising Pharmacopoeias, as the advance in knowledge 
renders this desirable. 

The United States Pharmacopoeia (abbreviation 
" U. S. P.") is prepared by a committee, meeting at the begin- 
ning of each decade, consisting of delegates appointed by invita- 
tion extended by the President of the preceding Convention, to 
all incorporated medical and pharmaceutical societies and medical 
and pharmaceutical colleges, and to the United States Army and 
Navy and Marine Hospital Service. By Congressional action 
the U. S. P. is made a legal authority in the conduct of the 
Department of Customs, of the Army, Navy and Marine Hospi- 
tal Service, and of the District of Columbia and other Territories 
within the jurisdiction of the United States laws. By Legisla- 
tive enactment it is also made a legal authority within the juris- 
diction of many States. With these exceptions its authority is 
but moral. The last edition became official on January i, 1894.] 
The abbreviation for "British Pharmacopoeia " is " B. P." 

MATERIA MEDICA PROPER. 

As much of this as the student need know will be mentioned 
under each drug. 

PHARMACY. 

[Pharmacy covers a field of nearly as much importance, 
breadth and difficulty as that of medicine itself, and requires as 
special, extensive and thorough a preparation. It should never 
be practiced by the physician, when the services of a competent 
manufacturing or dispensing pharmacist can be utilized. The 
physician should, however, be acquainted with the general prin- 
ciples and most details of the science and art of Pharmacy, that 
he may judge intelligently of the services rendered him by the 
pharmacist, and also be prepared to act with safety himself in 
cases of emergency. A pharmaceutical education to this extent, 
accompanied by dispensary practice, should be provided for in 



1 2 PHARMACY. 

every thorough course of medical study. The more important 
terms pertaining to Pharmacy are denned and explained below. 

DEFINITION OF TERMS AS APPLIED TO SUBSTANCES OF 
VEGETABLE ORIGIN. 

Alkaloids. (Their English names terminating in ine, their 
Latin names terminating in ina.) Compounds of carbon, hydro- 
gen and nitrogen, and usually containing also oxygen, either 
existing in the plant as proximate principles, or being derived 
from other alkaloids, having basic properties, and forming salts, 
usually crystallizable, with acids, without displacing any of the 
hydrogen of the latter. Their chief characters are as follows : 

(i) Either 

(«) solid, mostly crystalline and colorless, non-volatile, or 
(5) liquid and volatile.] 
(2) They turn red litmus paper blue. 

[(3) They are soluble in alcohol, chloroform, benzin, benzol and often in 
ether. They are insoluble in water, but not so their salts, while the latter are 
insoluble in chloroform, ether, benzin and benzol. 

(4) They are usually precipitated from saline solutions by alkalies. 

(5) One or more of the following will precipitate them: tannic, phospho- 
molybdic or picric acid, potasso-mercuric iodide or auric chloride.] 

(6) Their solutions are usually [intensely] bitter. 

[Alkaloids are, as a class, the most energetic and important medicinal con- 
stituents of plants. Example in U. S. P. : Atropine, Morphine, Strychnine. 

Glucosides. (Their English name terminating in in, their 
Latin names terminating in mum.) Bodies which, heated with 
a dilute mineral acid and water, or by the action of a ferment, 
split up into glucose and some other substances. Examples in 
U. S. P. : Salicinum, Picrotoxinum. 

Amaroids or Bitter Principles (their names ending in 
in and inum as above) are of such varied nature that they do not 
admit of any chemical diagnosis. The term includes all dis- 
tinctly bitter extractives of definite chemical composition other 
than alkaloids and glucosides. 

Glucosides and Amaroids are not the only principles whose names end 



FIXED OILS, FATS, VOLATILE OR ESSENTIAL OILS. 1 3 

Fixed Oils are ethers of the higher fatty acids which at 
ordinary temperatures remain liquid. The usual fatty acids 
entering into the composition of fixed oils are oleic, palmitic, 
and stearic. 

Example : Olive oil consists of a mixture of a combination of oleic acid 
(C 1S H 34 2 ) with glyceryl (C 3 H 5 ) and palmitic acid (C ]6 H 32 2 ) with glyceryl. 
That is to say, ordinary olive oil is a mixture of two oils having the formulae 
C 3 H 5 (C 18 H 33 2 ) 3 and C 3 H.(Ci 6 H 31 2 ) 3 respectively. When acted upon by 
caustic alkalies or metallic oxides they form soaps (oleates, palmitates, or 
stearates of metals) and glycerin. This process is called saponification, e.g. 
C 3 H 5 (C 18 H 33 2 ) 3 +3NaOH= 3 NaC ]8 H 33 2 +C 3 H 5 (OH) 3 . 
Hard soap. Glycerin. 
Sodium oleate. 

Fixed Oils are obtained by expression from the fruits or seeds 
of plants, or from animal tissues. When pure they are usually 
[colorless or pale] yellow; they float on water, and cause a greasy 
mark on paper. They are called fixed because they cannot be 
distilled without decomposition. They are soluble in ether, 
chloroform, turpentine and volatile oils 

[Those in U. S. P. are Oleum Amygdalae Expressum, Lini, Morrhuae, 
Olivae, Ricini, Tiglii.] 

Fats are fixed oils which are solid at ordinary temperatures ; 
if extracted by expression, sufficient heat to melt them must be 
used. 

[Examples in U. S. P. : Oleum theobromatis, Adeps. 

The same definitions will apply to fixed oils and fats of animal origin.] 

Volatile or Essential Oils only resemble fixed oils in 
being soluble in the same media. They do not leave a greasy 
mark on paper. They are mostly inflammable, and mostly lighter 
than water. They are highly aromatic, and sufficiently soluble 
in water to impart their odor and taste to it. They are prepared 
by distillation — that is, by passing a current of steam through the 
substance from which they are extracted, the steam is condensed, 
and the oil either floats to the top or sinks to the bottom of the 
water. Their composition varies [greatly, and they are of four 
classes : 



14 PHARMACY. 

(a) Terpenes, which consist of carbon and hydrogen. 

(b) Oxygenated, containing oxygen. 

(c) Sulphurated, containing sulphur. 

(d) Nitrogenated, containing hydrocyanic acid.] 

The simplest are mixtures of an elaeopten with a stearopten, 
[the latter commonly the important constituent. 

Examples in U. S. P. : 

(a) Oil of turpentine. 

(b) Oil of eucalyptus. 

(c) Volatile oil of mustard. 

(d) Oil of bitter almond.] 

Elaeoptens [(their names ending in enej] are liquid hydro- 
carbons isomeric with terpene (C 10 H 16 ). 

Stearoptens [(their names usually ending in ol)~\ are oxi- 
dized hydrocarbons usually solid and crystalline. 

[Examples in U. S. P. : Camphora, Menthol.] 

Resins [are of very indefinite composition. ] They are among 
the products of oxidation of volatile oils, being usually oxidized 
terpenes. [They are solid, mostly uncrystallizable, fusible, not 
volatile, combustible, insoluble in water, mostly soluble in alka- 
lies and volatile oils, and also in one or more of the following : 
alcohol, ether, chloroform, and fixed oils.] Those which combine 
with alkalies form resin soaps. Hence the alkali in Tinctura 
Guaiaci Ammoniata, and Tinctura Valerianae Ammoniata. [As 
occurring naturally, there are usually two or more resins mixed. 

The U. S. P. resins are Resina Copaibae, Jalapae, Podophylli, and Scam- 
monii, Pix Burgundica, and Mastiche.] 

Oleoresins are solutions of resins in volatile oils. 

[Those in the U. S. P. are Oleoresina Aspidii, Capsici, Cubebae, Lupulini, 
Piper is, Zingiberis.] 

Balsams, [a term used in several different ways. As to the 
U. S. P. articles, they are liquid or soft products containing resin, 
an odorous principle, and benzoic, or cinnamic acids, or both. 

Those in U. S. P. are Benzoinum, Balsamum Peruvianum, Balsamum 
Tolutanum, Styrax. 



PHARMACEUTICAL PROCESSES. 15 

Resins containing benzoic or cinnamic acid are sometimes 
called solid balsams.] 

Gums are exudations [having an insipid taste, insoluble in 
ether and alcohol, in water either dissolving to form a mucilage 
or swelling to form an adhesive jelly.] They consist of one or 
more of [the following :] 

(a) Arabin or soluble gums, e. g. Acacia. 

(b) Bassorin or partially soluble -gums, e. g. Tragacantha. 

(c) Cerasin or insoluble gum. 

[Solutions of gum are precipitated by alcohol.] 
Gum-resins are exudations from plants, consisting of a mix- 
ture of one or more gums and one or more resins. When they 
are rubbed with water the gum dissolves and the resin remains 
mechanically suspended in the solution, [forming an emulsion.] 

[The U. S. P. gum-resins are Ammoniacum, Asafoetida, Cambogia, Galba- 
num, Myrrha, and Scammonium.] 

PHARMACEUTICAL PROCESSES. 

Many of these, as filtration, precipitation, etc., need no ex- 
planation, but the following require a few words. 

Dialysis. — [The process of separating crystalloids from col- 
loids by bringing them,] in a mixed solution, into contact with 
one side of a membrane, such as a bladder, a parchment or a 
parchment paper, which has water in contact with its other side, 
and resulting in the passage into the water of the crystalloid to 
form the " diflusate," the remainder constituting the " dialysate." 
In this way dialysed iron is prepared by diffusing the excess of 
the crystalloid acid solution. 

[Displacement. — Another name for Percolation.] 

Elutriation consists in diffusing an insoluble powder in water, 
letting the heavier part settle, then decanting the supernatant 
fluid. The heavier powder in this is allowed to settle, the fluid 
decanted, and so on until a fluid containing powder of the 
required fineness is obtained. 

Levigation consists in reducing a drug to powder by tritur- 
ating it with a little water and drying the resulting paste. 



1 6 PHARMACY. 

Lixiviation consists in the extraction with water of the sol- 
uble matter of the ashes of anything which has been ignited, the 
solution being called a " lye." 

Maceration. — [The extraction of the soluble portions of a 
substance which is not wholly soluble in the menstruum, by pro- 
longed contact therewith.] 

Percolation.— The extraction in a suitable vessel (the " per- 
colator ") of the soluble constituents of a powder by the descent 
through it of a solvent (the " menstruum "), the resulting solution 
being called the "percolate." Percolation enters into the manufac- 
ture of a great majority of the official preparations of organic drugs. 

Scaling. — Scale preparations are made by drying concen- 
trated solutions of drugs on glass plates. The solid left behind 
forms a thin film on the plate, and this film is broken up. 

Standardizing. — [Specifying an upper or lower limit, or 
both, of active constituent which a drug or its preparation must 
contain in order to be official, and prescribing an appropriate 
process for its determination. Satisfactory processes for standard- 
izing are extremely difficult to establish, and have been adopted 
for the following only : 

Cinchona, not less than 5 per cent, of total alkaloids. 

Cinchona rubra, " " 5 " " " 

Extractum nucis vomicae, 15 " " " 

Extractum nucis vomicae fluidum, 1.5 per cent, of total alkaloids. 

Tinctura nucis vomicae, 0.3 per cent, of total alkaloids. 

Opium, not less than 9 per cent, of crystallized morphine. 

Opii pulvis, " " 13 nor more than 15 per cent, of crystallized morphine. 

Extractum opii, 18 per cent, of crystallized morphine. 

Tinctura opii, ^ 

Tinctura opii deodorati, V 1.3 to 1.5 per cent, of crystallized morphine.] 

Vinum opii. J 

WEIGHTS, MEASURES, AND SYMBOLS. 
Weights [(Apothecaries' or Troy Weight). 

I grain symbol, gr. 

480 grains = one ounce " ^ 

12 ounces = one pound " Jb] 

The scruple (20 grains, symbol 9) is rarely used, and the drachm (60 
grains, symbol 3 ) is commonly used. 



WEIGHTS, MEASURES AND SYMBOLS. 1 7 

Measures of Capacity. 

I minim symbol, Tit 

60 minims = one fluid drachm " g 

8 fluid drachms = one FLUID ounce . " % 

[16 fluid ounces = one PINT " O] 

8 pints = one gallon . . . " C 

Usually 3 and % are written fl % and fl % when they stand for fluid 
drachms and ounces. 

Relations of Measures to Weights. 

I minim is the measure of [°-95 grains of water. 

1 fluid drachm " " 56.96 " « 

1 fluid ounce " " 455-69 " " 

I pint ? " 7291.04] " " 

A I per cent, solution is approximately a grain in 100 minims. 
A fluid grain is the volume of one grain of water at 6o° F. ; that is to say, 
it is a little over a minim [(1.05 TTL)-] 

In the pharmacopoeial description of the various proportions which several 
parts of a compound bear to one another, the word parts means parts by weight ; 
the term fluid parts signifies the volume of an equal number of parts of water. 
Metrical System. — This, which is as follows, is official on the Continent : 

WEIGHTS. 

I milligramme = 0.001 gramme. 

I centigramme = O.oi " 

I decigramme = o.l " 

I gramme = weight of I cubic centimetre of distilled water at 4 C. 

I decagramme = 10.0 grammes. [Abbreviation, gm. 

1 hectogramme = 100.0 " 

I kilogramme = iooo.o " Abbreviation, kilo. 

MEASURES. 

I millilitre = I cubic centimetre (abbrev., c.c.) = the measure of 1 gm. of 

I centilitre = 10 c.c. = the measure of 10 gms. of water. [water. 

1 decilitre = 100 c.c. = " " 100 " " 

I litre = 1000 c.c. = " " 1000 " (1 kilo of water.) 

Conversion of United States to Metrical System. 

WEIGHTS. 

I grain = 0.0648 gm. 

[1 ounce = 31.103 gms. 

I pound = 373.250] " 



1 8 PHARMACY. 

MEASURES. 

I minim = [0.0616 c.c. 

I fluid drachm = 3.70 " 
I fluid ounce = 29.57 " 
1 pint = 473-H 

I gallon =3785.51] " 

Conversion of Metrical to United States. 

WEIGHTS. 

I milligramme = 0.015432 grain. 

I gramme — 15.4324 grains. 

I kilogramme = 15343.24 " 

MEASURES. 

I cubic centimetre = [16.23 minims. 

I litre (1000 c.c.) = 33-8i] fluid ounces. 
In prescribing on the Continent all liquids are weighed. 
The weight used for liquids and solids is grammes, and this word is not 
expressed. Thus — 

Mag. sulph. 20.0 = 20 grammes of magnesium sulphate. 

Hydrarg. chlor. mit. 0.5 = half a gramme of mercurous chloride. 
Tinctura rhei 1.5 = a gramme and a half of tinctura rhei. 

Domestic Measures. 

A tea-spoonful is about a fluid drachm. 

A dessert-spoonful is about two fluid drachms. 

A table-spoonful is about half a fluid ounce. 

A wine-glassful is about one and a half to two fluid ounces. 

A tea-cupful is about five fluid ounces. 

A breakfast-cupful is about eight fluid ounces. 

A tumblerful is about eleven fluid ounces. 

A DROP is often taken as being about a minim, but drops vary so much in 
size that they should never be used for children, nor as a measure of powerful 
drugs. For example, the number of drops in a fluid drachm of the United 
States Syrup of acacia is 44, of water 60, of alcohol 146, of chloroform 250. 

PHARMACOPCEIAL PREPARATIONS AND THEIR DOSES. 

Most drugs are not, in their natural state, suitable for administration. They 
are either too bulky, too nauseous, or contain noxious principles. Preparations 
suitable for administration arc, therefore, prepared from them according to 
u official " pharmacopceial directions. The doses of the various drugs and their 
preparations which may safely be given to an adult [are taken from the " Tables 



ACETA, AQILE, CERATA. 



19 



for Doctors and Druggists," 2d ed., compiled by Eli H. Long, M.D. ;] but 
these doses are often not rigorously adhered to in prescribing. They vary with 
the purpose for which the drug is required and the age of the patient (see Pre- 
scribing). The following is an account of the preparation of the pharmacopoeial 
preparations, and the attempt has been made to arrange the doses so as to 
make them easy of remembrance. 

[Unless otherwise specified, the preparations are for internal use.] 

Aceta [(Vinegars). — Liquid preparations resulting from the 
extraction of the drug with diluted acetic acid, and filtering. The 
U. S. P. contains two. 

Dose. Dose. 

Acetum Opii 3 — 2oTTl I Acetum Scillae 10 — 45 HI] 

Aquae [(Waters). — Preparations made by impregnating water 
with a volatile substance. 

Mostly made by triturating the substance with precipitated 
calcium phosphate and filtering. Those in the U. S. P. thus 
made are — 



Dose. 



-1 A3 



Aqua Fceniculi .... \ x , 

— Anisi J 

— Cinnamomi % — I fl J 



Dose. 



Aqua Camphorse . 

— Menthae Piperitae 

— Menthae Viridis 



itae. . l^_2flg 
is . . J 



Three are made by distillation : 



Dose. 
Aqua Aurantii Florum Fortior indeter. 
— Destillata indeterminate 



Aqua Rosae Fortior 



Six are simple solutions in cold water 

Dose. 

4fl3 



Aquae Hydrogenii Dioxidi . 
Aqua Creosoti ....") 



Dose. 
indeterminate 



Dose. 



Aqua Amygdalae Amarae . . 2 — 4 fl g 

Aquae Rosae indefinite 

Aqua Aurantii Florum . . " 



— Chloroformi . . 

Three are made by passing gases through water 



Dose. 



Aqua Ammoniae Fortior . 3 — 6tTL 
— Ammoniae 10 — 2oTTL 



Dose. 
Aqua Chlori 1 — 4ft 5 



Cerata (Cerates). — Adhesive preparations for external use, 
containing wax, capable of being spread at ordinary temperatures, 



20 PHARMACY. 

and not melting at the temperature of the body. Six are official 
in U. S. P. 

Ceratum I Ceratum Cantharidis I Ceratum Resinae 

— Camphorae I — Cetacei I — Plumbi Subacetatis 

Charta (Papers). — Non-absorbent papers coated with plas- 
ter-like preparations and used like plasters. The U. S. P. con- 
tains two. 

Charta Sinapis, made from mustard. 

— Potassii Nitratis,made from potassium nitrate. 

Collodia (Collodioms). — Preparations for external use made 
by impregnating collodiom, a solution of pyroxylin in ether and 
alcohol, with an active substance.] When applied externally a 
protective film is formed owing to the rapid volatilization of the 
solvent. [The U. S. P. contains four : 

Collodium. Collodium Cantharidatum. 

— Flexile. — Stypticum. 

Confectiones (Confections. In England also called Bo- 
luses). — Permanent pasty preparations of powdered drugs tho- 
roughly triturated with syrup or honey. Synonyms, Electuaries, 
boluses. The U. S. P. contains two : 

Confectio Rosae, used as a basis for pills. 
— Sennae dose, I — 23. 

Decocta (Decoctions). — Liquid preparations of organic 
drugs, 5 grams of drug to too cc. of decoction unless otherwise 
specified by the physician or Pharmacopoeia, made by exhausting 
the drug by boiling in water, straining the resulting liquid, and 
adding sufficient cold water to secure the required ratio. The 
U. S. P. contains two : 

Dose. 



Decoctum Cetrariae .... 
— Sarsaparillae Compositum 



Elixira (Elixirs). — Sweet and aromatic liquid preparations, 
containing 20 to 25 per cent, of alcohol. There are two in the 
U. S. P. : 



\- Lead plaster as the basis. 



EMPLASTRA, EMULSA, EXTRACTA. 21 

Elixir Aromaticum dose, indeterminate. 

Elixir Phosphori dose, *4 — 2 Yz A 3 • 

Emplastra (Plasters). — Tenacious preparations for external 
application, solid at ordinary temperatures, but pliable and ad- 
hesive at the temperature of the body. Those of the U. S. P. 
are : 

Emplastrum Plumbi \ Lead ° xide ' ° live oil and water ' Lead oleate and 
) glycerin are formed. 

— Ammoniaci cum "] 

Hydrargyro 

— Ferri 

— Hydrargyri 

— Opii 

— Saponis J 

— Resinse Lead plaster and wax as the basis. 

— Arnicse \ Resin plaster, which is made from lead plaster, as the 

— Capsici i basis. 

— Belladonnae Resin and soap plaster as the basis. 

— Picis Burgundicge Wax the basis. 

— Ichthyocollae Court plaster. 

— Picis Cantharidatum. Warming plaster. 

Emulsa (Emulsions). — Liquid preparations consisting of 
oily or resinous substances held suspended in water which has 
been rendered mucilaginous or viscid. Mucilago Acacise and 
Tragacanthse are frequently used to form emulsions. Mucilago 
Acaciae should be recently prepared. It is incompatible with 
ferric chloride, borax and lead subacetate. 

Emulsions are coagulated by acids, an undue proportion of 
metallic salts, and spirituous liquids. There are in U. S. P. : 

Dose. 
Emulsum Chloroformi . . I — 4 fl g 
— Amygdalae as vehicle. 



Dose. 



Emulsum Ammoniaci . 



Asafcetidse 



; }%-^i 



Extracta (Extracts). — Solid or soft-solid preparations not 
agreeing in strength, made by evaporating solutions of the active 
constituents of organic drugs to the required consistency. 

The drug is first powdered, then macerated and percolated with the appro- 
priate menstruum to exhaustion. The first third of the percolate is reserved, 



22 



PHARMACY. 



the remainder is evaporated at a temperature not exceeding 122° F., until its 
weight is ten per cent, of that of the drug used, then mixed with the reserve 
portion, and both are evaporated at or below the above-named temperature 
until an extract of a pilular consistence remains. For converting extracts into 
powdered extracts it is sometimes necessary to add an inert dry substance. 
The menstrua used are : 

[a) Alcohol; Extractum Aconiti, Cannabis Indicae, Cimicifugae, Colo- 
cynthidis Compositum, Iridis, Jalapse and Physostigmatis. 

(6) Alcohol and water; Extractum Belladonnas Foliarum Alcoholicum, 
Digitalis, Euonymi Leptandrce, Podophylli, Rhei, Uvae Ursi. 

(c) Alcohol, water and diluted alcohol ; Extractum Cinchonas, Hyos- 
cyami. 

[d) Diluted Alcohol; Extractum Arnicae Radicis, Cinchonas, Colocyn- 
thidis, Juglandis, and Stramonii Seminis. 

(<r) Water ; Extractum Aloes, Gentianae, Glycyrrhizae, Haematoxyli, Kra- 
merise, Opii and Quassias. 

{/) Water and Aqua Ammoniae ; Extractum Glycyrrhizae Purum. 

(g) Acetic Acid and Water; Extractum Colchici Radicis. 

(A) Acetic Acid and diluted Alcohol ; Extractum Conii. 

(z) Acetic Acid, Alcohol, and Water; Extractum Nucis Vomicae. 

(k) Inspissated Juice ; Extractum Taraxaci. 

(/) Evaporated Fluid Extract ; Extractum Ergotae. 

They are in the U. S. P. 



}*- 



Dose. 
Extractum Aconiti . . . T ^ — % gr 

— Physostigmatis . . . T \—)4 gr 

— Belladonnae Foliarum 

Alcoholicum 

— Nucis Vomicae 

— Opii , . . . 

— Cannabis Indicae . . y^ 

— Stramonii Seminis . . ^ 

— Digitalis % 

— Conii iX 

— Colocynthidis . 

— Colchici Radicis 

— Hyoscyami 

— Quassias . 

— Aloes . . 

— Leptandrae 

— Iridis . . 



:is . \y 2 - 



£gr 
i gr 

Vz gr 

I gr 

1 gr 

2 gr 

3 g^ 



; — 3 gr- 



Extractum Euonymi 
— Cimicifugae . . 



— Gentianae . . 

— Podophylli . . 

— Rhei .... 

— Arnicae Radicis 

— Krameriae . . 

— Colocynthidis Co 

— Haematoxyli 

— Ergotae . . 

— Uvae Ursi . , 

— Cinchonae 

— Taraxaci . , 

— Juglandis 

— Glycyrrhizae 
Purum 



Dose. 

!— 5 gr- 
. 2- 8 gr. 

| 2— iogr. 

• 3—15 gr. 
5— io gr. 

5-15 gr. 

* 5— 30 gr. 
J Freely. 



EXTRACTA FLUIDA. 



23 



Extracta Fluida (Fluid Extracts). — Liquid preparations of 
organic drugs, made by completely exhausting the drug by suit- 
able menstrua, and concentrating the resulting filtered solution, 
so that there shall be 1 c.c. of the latter for each gram of drug 
extracted. They are made by percolation and partial evaporation, 
the menstruum employed being usually alcohol, diluted alcohol, 
or alcohol and water in various proportions. They are in the 
U. S. P. 







FLUID EXTRACTS. 








Dose. 




Dose. 


Extractum Aconiti Fluidum^- 


-21a 


Extracum Convallariae - 
Fluidum .... 




— Digitalis " 


#- 


-3% 




— Belladonna Radicis 


) 




— Menispermi Fluidum 




Fluidum 


1 

I 1 


- 3 TTL 


— Phytolaccae Radi- 


> 5-30 m 


— Stramonii Seminis 






cis " 




Fluidum 


J 




— Calumbae '' 




— Nucis Vomicae Fluidum 1- 


-4m 


— Lupulini " . 




— Ipecacuanhas f expect 
Fluidum . 1 emetic 


., I- 


-SIR 


-Pilocarpi » | c _^ ntr1 


, 15- 


-30 m 


— Hydrastis " . 




— Sanguinarias f expect 
Fluidum . 1 emetic 


, I- 


- 5m 


— Senegas " 


10—20 m 


> x- 


- if3 


— Aromaticum " * "1 




— Veratri Viridis Fluidum ) 




- Valerianae " 




— Scillas " 


" 


-5m 


— Iridis 


10-30 m 


— Colchici Seminis " 


J 




— Serpentariae " 




— Conii " 


h- 


- 5m 


— Xanthoxyli " 




— Cannabis Indicas " 


— Buchu " ] 




— Capsici " ^ 2 _ 


-8m 


— Eriodictyi " 


15— 3°m 


— Colchici Radicis " j 




— Cypripedii lt ' 




— Lobelias " 


2- 


-10 m 


— Cinchonas '■ 


ro~6o TTL 


— Apocyni " 


2- 


-20 m 


— Calami " 


] 


— Gelsemii " 


5- 


-10 m 


— Eupatorii " 




— Zingiberis " 






— Gossypii Radicis '' 




— Mezerei " 


- 5- 


-15 m 


— Grindelias " 




— Sabinae " 




— Guaranas " 




— Hyoscyami " 






— Quassias 


\%-^z 


— Arnicas Radicis " ] 

— Podophylli " J 


- 5- 


-20TTI 


— Rhamni Purshi- 
anas " 




— Gentian as " 


1 




— Scoparii ' ' 




— Kramerias " 


* 5- 


-30 m 


— Rhei 




— Aspidospermatis " - 






— Rhois Glabrae 4i 


J 



24 



PHARMACY. 



Dose. 



Extractum Rosae Fluidum 




Extractum Rubi Fluidum 




— Rumicis " 




— Aurantii Amari " 




— Stillingiae " 




— - Hamamelidis " 




— Uvae Ursi '' 


-X-i fl 3 


— Castaneae " 




— Viburni Prunifolii " 




— Asclepiadis " 


- K-2A3 


— Leptandrae " 




— Chimaphilae " 




— Geranii " 




— Eucalypti " 




— Spigeliae " 


%-^z 


— Frangulas " 




— Ergotae " 




— Matico " 




— Pareirae " 




— Scutellariae " 




— Pruni Virginianae " 




— Viburni Opuli " 


• I-2A3 


— Sarsaparillae " 




— Dulcamarae " ■* 


■ 


— " Compositum " 


l A-rt3 


— Sennae " 


i-3fl3 


— Chiratae " 




— Taraxaci " 




— Cimicifugae " 




— Cocae " 


- i-4fl3 


— Cubebae " 




— Cusso " J 




— Lappae " 




— Tritici " 


i-8fl 3 






— Glycyrrhizae " 


Freely.] 


Glycerita (Glyct 


writes). — Solutions of drugs in 


glycerin. 


They are all liquid p 


reparation 


s used for external application. 


[In the U. S. P. are si 


x : 






Glyceritum Acidi Carbolici 




Glyceritum Boroglycerini. 




— Acidi Tannici. 




— Hydrastis. 




— Amyli. 




— Vitelli. 





Infusa (Infusions). — Liquid preparations of organic drugs, 
5 grams of drug to ioo c.c. of infusion, unless otherwise specified 
by the physician or Pharmacopoeia, made by exhausting the drug 
for a specified time in a covered vessel, by water poured upon it 
at a boiling temperature, straining and adding sufficient water to 
secure the required ratio. 

The infusions of the U. S. P. are : 



• • 1 j 2 fl 5 I Infusum Sennae Compositum I — 2^fl^ 

. . * I — Digitalis I4 fl 3 

Infusum Cinchonae, Pruni Vii gin- 



In fusum Cinchonae 
— Pruni Virginianae 

Two are made with Cold Water 
ianae. 

One is compound, viz. Infusum Sennae Co. 

One contains acid: Infusum Cinchonae.] 

Infusions should be freshly made, as they readily decompose. 



LINIMENTA, LIQUORES, MASS^E. 



25 



Linimenta [(Liniments). — Solutions or mixtures for external 
application, liquid at least upon application. All of which are 
intended to be rubbed into the skin except Lin. Calcis. Those 
in the U. S. P. are : 

Linimentum Ammonias . . . Ammonia water and cotton seed oil. 

— Calcis Solution of lime and linseed oil. 

— Camphorae Camphor and cotton seed oil. 

— Plumbi Subacetatis .... Solution of lead subacetate and cotton seed oil. 

— Belladonna? Fluid extract of drug and camphor. 

— Cantharidis Cantharides and oil of turpentine. 

— Chloroformi Chloroform and soap liniment. 

— Saponis Soap, camphor, oil of rosemary, and alcohol. 

— S ' M 11* / ^°^ soa P' °^ °f l aven der flowers, alcohol, 

I and water. 

c . . r* ., f Oil of mustard, fluid extract of mezereum, 

— Sinapis Compositum . . . < 

I camphor, castor oil, and alcohol. 

— Terebinthinae Resin cerate and oil of turpentine. 

Liquores (Liquors). — Solutions of chemical substances in a 
menstruum consisting chiefly or wholly of water. The following 
are the liquors of the U. S. P. : 





Dose. 




Dose. 


Liquor Iodi Compositus. 




Liq. Ferri Citratis . . . 


•5 I5TTI 


— Sodii Arsenatis . . . 

— Arseni et Hydrargyri 


- i-iom 


— Sodae 

— Potassae 


.5-201U, 

• 5-30 m 


Iodidi 




— Sodae Chloratae . . 


.#-ifl-3 


— Potassii Arsenitis . . " 

— Ferri Acetatis . . . 




— Ferri et Ammonii Ace 
tatis 


"}i-4fl3 


Chloridi .... 

Nitratis 


- 2-iotn 


— Calcis 

— Potassii Citratis . . . 


}i-8fl 5 


Subsulphatis . . 




— Ammonii Acetatis . 


. X-i a I 


— Acidi Arsenosi . . . 


• 5-iom 


— Magnesii Citratis . . 


. 2—8 fl % 



Used only externally : 

Liquor Ferri Tersulphatis, 

— Hydrargyri Nitratis. 

— Plumbi Subacetatis. 



Liquor Plumbi Subacetatis Dilutus. 

— Sodii Silicatis. 

— Zinci Chloridi. 



Massse (Masses). — Pill-masses intended for preservation in 
bulk until required for use. Three are official in the U. S. P. : 
3 



26 PHARMACY. 

Dose. 
Massa Hydrargyri . . yi — 15 gf- 

— Ferri Carbonatis I — 5 gr. 

— Copaibas % — I 3 . 

Mella (Honeys). — Mixtures of medicinal substances with 
clarified honey. The U. S. P. contains only two, one of these 
being simply honey purified. 

Mel Despumatum Mel Rosas. 

Misturse (Mixtures) — Liquid preparations of insoluble sus- 
pended active substances, or solutions containing more than one 
liquid of therapeutical activity, The mixture is usually flavored, 
and is for internal administration. Examples in U. S. P. : 

Dose. Dose. 

Mistura Glycyrrhizas Com- *» n _ Mistura Ferri Composita . . 2 — 4 fl 3 

posita ) ° — Rhei et Sodas .... %— 2 fl % 

— Cretae 2 — 4 fl 5 

Mucilagines (Mucilages).— Adhesive liquids or jelly-like 
preparations, consisting of gum or starch dissolved in or fully 
charged with water. The U. S. P. contains four : 

Mucilago Acacias. Mucilago Tragacanthae. 

— Sassafras Medullas. — Ulmi.] 

There is no fixed dose; it is usually ^j. 

Oleata. — Oleates are solutions in oleic acid, intended for 
external application. [The U. S. P. contains three : 

Oleatum Hydrargyri (20 per cent, of yellow mercuric oxide in oleic acid). 
Oleatum Veratrinas (2 per cent, of veratrine in oleic acid). 
Oleatum Zinci (5 per cent, of zinc oxide in oleic acid)]. 

Olea. — There are many oils in the Pharmacopoeia. They 
are all obtained by distillation or by expression except Oleum 
Phosphoratum, which is a solution of phosphorus in almond oil. 
[The U. S P. olea are : 



hose. 

Oleum Sinapis Volatile . y % — %V(l 

— Amygdalas Amaras . . y^ — }iXfl 

— Tiglii .... 

— Aurantii Florum 



}x- 2m 



Dose. 
Oleum Myristicas .... 1 — 3^ 

— Cajuputi \ 

- Cari ; 1-5111 

— Anisi J 



PILULjE. 



27 



Dose. 



Oleum Caryophylli . 

— Cinnamomi . . . 

— Lavandulae Florum 

— Menthae Piperita? 

— Menthae Viridis 

— Pimentae . . . 

— Rosmarini . . 

— Betulae Volatile 

— Sassafras . . . 

— Thymi .... 

— Sabinae .... 

— Phosphoratum . 

— Foeniculi . . . 

— Gaultheriae . , 

— Hedeomae . . 

— Coriandri . . . 

— Chenopodii . . 

— Santali .... 

— Juniperi . . . 

— Copaibae . . . 

— Erigerontis . . 

— Cubebse . . . 



1- 5m 



2-5111 
2— iottl 

5-i5tri 
5-20U1 



5-3om 



} i-4 A3 



Dose. 
Oleum Eucalypti . . . 

— Terebinthinae . . . 

— Terebinthinae Rectifi- j 

catum ... J 

— Morrhuae 

— Amygdalae Expressum 

— Ricini % — 2 fig 

— Lini ]/ 2 — 2 fl ^ 

— Sesami indefinite. 

— Olivae freely. 

— Gossypii Seminis 

— Picis Liquidae . . 

— Cadini 

— Theobromatis . . 

— Adipis ") . 

_ . V in pharmacy. 

— ^Ethereum . . . J r J 

— Myrciae as perfume. 

— Aurantii Corticis 

— Bergamottae . . 

— Limonis . . . 

— Rosae .... 



<■ externally. 



flavoring 
agent.] 



Pilulse. — Solid bodies, usually spherical or oval, containing 
medicinal agents, and intended to be swallowed whole. A mass 
of the consistence of firm clay is made by beating medicaments 
together in a mortar. This mass is, with a machine, divided up 
and rolled into pills. In order that they may not possess a dis- 
agreeable taste, they are varnished, gilded, or sugar-coated. 
Unless the constituents are very heavy, each pill should not 
exceed 5 grains in weight. Soap, bread crumb, and confection 
of rose are common excipients for pills. Glycerin is often 
added, for it attracts moisture and prevents the pill from getting 
hard. Pills, [except when sugar- or gelatin-coated], are often kept 
in some powder, as lycopodium, to prevent their sticking together. 
[The pills in the U. S. P. are : 



Dose. 
Pilulae Phosphorii . . j^ gr. in each 
— Opii I gr. in each 



Pilulae Asafcetidaa 
— Ferri Iodidi . 



Dose. 
3 gr. in each 
. . . . 1—2 






28 



PHARMACY. 



Dose. 



M-3 

I 

J 



Dose. 



Pilulse Rhei "] 

— Catharticae Vegetabiles I 

— Ferri Carbonatis . . . j -> 

— Aloes et Asafcetidae . . j 

— Aloes et Myrrhae .... 2 — 10 



Pilulae Catharticae Compositae 

— Antimonii Composite . . 

— Aloes et Mastiches . . . 

— Rhei Compositae .... 

— Aloes 

— Aloes et Ferri . . . 

Pulveres (Powders). — Preparations consisting of finely pow- 
dered drugs, or (compound powders) mixtures of the same, and 
frequently consisting in part of a suitable diluent or excipient.] 
The best diluent for powders is sugar of milk, because of its hard- 
ness and insolubility. [The powders of the U. S. P. are : 

Dose. Dose. 

y^ — 2 gr. Pulvis Aromaticus .... 10 — 30 gr. 

3 J 5 g r - — Jalapse Compositus . . % — I 3 

5 — 60 gr. — Rhei Compositus . . . y 2 — I g 

5 — 15 gr. — Glycyrrhizae Compositus ^ — 25 

Pulvis Effervescens Compositus. Seidlitz Powder. {See Sodium.) Pulvis 
Ipecacuanhas et Opii is practically a trituration. 



Pulvis Antimonialis . . . 

— Ipecacuanhas et Opii 

— Cretae Compositus . , 

— Morphinae Compositus 



Spiritus (Spirits) — Solutions of volatile substances in alco- 



hol or diluted alcohol. 



Spiritus Glonoini . . 
— ■ Athens Compositus 

— Phosphori 

— Cinnamomi . 

— Amygdalae Amarae 

— ^Etheris 

— Camphorae . 

— Chloroformi . 

— Juniperi . . 

— Lavandulae . 

— Myristicae . . 



The spirits of the U. S. P. are : 

Dose. Dose. 

1 — 51TL Spiritus Ammoniae Aroma- 

5— 60TTI ticus %— 2fl3 

-40ITL — Anisi ~| 

[ °— 3°TH — Gaultherse . . . . } I- 2fl 3 

15 — 45TTL — Juniperi Compositus . I — 4 fl 3 

. — 1 Ag — Aurantii 

Aurantii Compositus 

Myrciae perfume. 

:-.ifl 3 



vehicle. 



By solution with maceration 



Dose. 



Spiritus Limonis flavoring agent. 

— Menthae Piperitae . . , \ ^ 

— Menthae Viridis J 5_I5 "L 

By gaseous solution : 

Spiritus Ammoniae 10—60 TH 



SUPP0SIT0RI.4E, SYRUPI, TINCTURE. 



2 9 



Dose. 
By chemical reaction : 

Spiritus ^Etheris Nitrosi j^ — 2 fl 3 

By distillation : 

Spiritus Frumenti indefinite. 

— Vini Gallici indefinite. 

Suppositoriae (Suppositories). — Preparations in suitable 
form] for introduction into [and retention] in the rectum or vagina, 
[and so mixed with a base (usually Oleum Theobromatis; that they 
shall be solid under ordinary conditions, but shall melt or liquefy 
after introduction. One only is official in U. S. P. : Suppositoria 
glycerini; base, stearic acid. 

Syrupi (Syrups). — Liquid preparations of drugs consisting 
chiefly of a concentrated aqueous solution of sugar. There are 
30 official in U. S. P. 

Examples : Syrupus Aurantii, Syrupus Rhei.] The dose of all is about 
1 5 or rather more, [excepting Syrupus Ferri Bromidi, Ferri Iodidi, Scillse 
Compositus, when it is 5 to 30 TTL* 

Tincturse (Tinctures). — Solutions in alcohol or diluted 
alcohol of the soluble constituents of substances which are not 
volatile. (Includes also, as an exception, the alcoholic solution 
of iodine.)] They are prepared by — 

(a) Maceration; e.g. [Tinctura Opii Camphoratse.] 
{b) Percolation ; e. g. [Tinctura Lavandulae Composita.] 

(c) Maceration and Percolation; e. g. [Tinctura Opii.] 

(d) Simple mixing of ingredients ; e. g. [Tinctura Ipecacuanhas et Opii.] 
Tinctures containing only one active substance are simple. The rest are 

compound ; e. g. Tinctura Catechu Composita. 

Some are compound, although it is not expressed in their name; \c. %. 
Tinctura Aloes. The tinctures of the U. S. P. are : 



Dose. 
Tinctura Aconiti . . . . y 2 — 5 Tit 

— iodi 1— 5 ra 

— Cantharidis I— 15 TTL 

— Veratri Viridis . . 

— Strophanthi . . . 

— Ipecacuanha; et Opii . 3 — 15 "fit 

— Arnicae Radicis . . . 5 — 10 HI 



2-10 tn 



Dose. 



Tinctura Opii . . . 

— Opii Deodorati . 

— Nucis Vomicae . 

< child 3 

— Opii Camphorata I aduk r 



3— 20 in 

5-20 m 

20 m 

4"3 



— Belladonna; Foliarum 

— Scillae 



5-30 m 



3Q 



PHARMACY. 



Dose. 



Tinctura Stramonii Sem- 
inis 

— Cannabis Indicas . . 

— Digitalis 

— Lobeliae 

— Ferri Chloridi . . . 

— Capsici 

— Physostigmatis . . 

— Colchici Scminis . . 

— Arnicas Flcrum . . 

— Gelsemii 

— Moschi 

— Zingiberis .... 

— Aloes 

— Myrrhas 

— Guaiaci 

— Guaiaci Ammoniata 

— Lavandulae Com- 

posita 

— Asafcetidas .... 

— Benzoini 

— Benzoini Composita 

— Kino ....... 

— Lactucarii . . . . , 

— Chiratae 

— Cimicifugae . . . 

— Cinchonas .... 

— Valerianae .... 

— Valerianae Ammoni- 

ata 



\ 5- 3otll 

} 5-60 m 
} 10-30 va 

. 15-45 m 
1 

1 5-60 m 



Dose. 



30-60 in 



}X-2fl3 



1- K-2fl3 



Tinctura Quassiae . . -j 

— Quillajae .... 

— Hydrastis . . . . ] 

— Serpentariae . . . 

— Krameriae .... 

— Catechu Composita 

— Cubebae 

— Sanguinariae . . . 

— Tolutana .... 

— Croci 

— Humuli ..... 

— Cinnamomi . . , 

— Aurantii Dulcis . , 

— Gallae , 

— Aurantii Amari . , 

— Cardamomi ... J 

— Rhei Aromatica . . . 

— Cinchonae Compos- I 

ita 

— Rhei 

— Calendulas .... 

— Calumbae . . . 

— Hyoscyami . . 

— Sumbul .... 

— Gentianae Composita 

— Aloes et Myrrhae . . 

— Bryonies 

— Cardamomi Composit 

— Rhei Dulcis . . . . 

— Matico 

— Vanillas 

— Pyrethri 



-2 fl 3 






1— 2 fl^ 



-3 A3 



-4fl3 



1-2^3 
i-5 A3 

.2—4 fl£ 

y 2 - 1 fig 

Flavoring. 
Externally. 



Triturationes (Triturations). — Solid preparations made by 
triturating a medicinal substance with a definite percentage of 
sugar of milk (Saccharum Lactis). 



Trituratio Elaterini 



Dose. 
to 1 gr. 



Trochisci (Troches). — Solid preparations, usually in flattened 
form, consisting of one or more medicinal substances mixed with 



UNGUENTA, VINA. 3 I 

sugar or extract of liquorice and held in form by the addition of 
mucilage. Fifteen are official in U. S. P. 

Examples : Trochisci Catechu, Trochisci Sodii Bicarbonatis.] The dose of 
each is from I to 6 in the course of the day. 

Unguenta (Ointments). — [Unctuous preparations, either 
soft or solid at ordinary temperatures, but liquid upon being 
rubbed upon the skin. They are generally spread over the skin, or 
may be rubbed into it. They are only intended for external use.] 
The basis is either lard, olive oil, expressed oil of almond, lard 
oil, wax, suet, spermaceti, or paraffin. Benzoinated lard is often 
used, to prevent decomposition. [Twenty-seven are official in 
U. S. P.] 

Examples : Unguentum Hydrargyri, Unguentum Iodi. 

Vina. — Wines are weak tinctures, [the drug being extracted 
with white wine, containing twenty to twenty-five per cent, by 
weight of absolute alcohol.] 

With Vinum Antimonii and Vinum Ipecacuanhae the dose depends upon 
the purpose for which the drug is used. 

Dose. 
Vinum Colchici [Radicis . 5— 15TTL 
— Antimonii (expectorant) 5 — 60TTI 

— Opii 3— 2o1tt 

— Ipecacuanhae I — 6ot|^ 

— Colchici Seminis . . . 10 — 30ITL 
— Ferri Citratis I — 2fl 3 

The following preparations [not occurring in the U. S. P.] are used : 

Abstracta — [(Abstracts) solid, dry powdered extracts of double the 
strength of the crude drug. They are prepared by spontaneous evaporation of 
an alcoholic tincture at a low temperature, mixing with it enough Sugar of 
Milk to make the product weigh one-half of the original weight of the drug, 
and then reducing it to a fine powder ] 

Bougies. — Solid cylinders impregnated with various drugs, and used for 
introduction into the urethra or nose. They are made either of gelatin (to 
be dipped in warm water before use) or cacao butter (to be dipped in oil 
before use). 

Cachets, made of wafer paper, consist of two watch-glass-shaped halves 
enclosing the drug, which adhere when moistened. The cachet is swallowed, 
and thus nauseous drugs can be administered. 



; }i-4fl3 



Dose. 
Vinum Ergotse . 
— Ferri Amarum 

— Album menstruum 

— Rubrum " 

— Aromaticum lotion.] 



32 PHARMACY. 

Capsules, [usually made of gelatin, are also used for enclosing medicines 
so that they shall not be tasted, and they are now made for containing both 
solid and liquid substances. They are either soft and elastic or hard. The 
" empty capsule " is of the hard form and is made in two parts, the body to 
be filled when required for use, and the cap to fit tightly over it when filled.] 

Cataplasma [(Poultices). — Soft, pasty masses used as a medium for the 
external and local application of a moist heat, with or without the addition of 
active medicaments. Any bland substance which will retain its heat and moisture 
for a long time is applicable for this purpose, a little oil or glycerin being often 
added to prevent caking. The substances chiefly used are flaxseed, elm bark, 
bread and milk, bran, and oatmeal.] 

To make a poultice properly, the bowl in which it is mixed, the water, the 
spatula for mixing and spreading, the flannel or cheese-cloth on which it is 
laid, must all be as hot as is possible. The meal should be added gradually 
to the boiling water, which is continually stirred. It should not be spread so 
thick as to make it inconveniently heavy. 

Cigarettes. — The drug replaces the tobacco of an ordinary cigarette. 

Clysters. — [Another name for Enemata]. 

Collunaria — Fluids used as nasal douches. This term is rarely used in 
the United States. 

Collyria. — Fluids used as eye washes. 

[Enemata (Enemas). — Liquids intended for injection into the rectum and 
designed to act medicinally, to evacuate the bowel mechanically, or to serve as 
nutrients.] When their object is to empty the bowel, they are large in bulk ; 
when it is wished that they should be retained, they are small in bulk, and 
after injection a towel may be pressed against the anus. 

[Essentiae (Essences). — Preparations of B. P. corresponding to Spirits, 
U. S. P., but of 20 per cent, strength.] 

Fomenta. — Fomentations consist of flannels wrung out in hot water, to 
which drugs may or may not have been added. 

Gargarismata (Gargles) are fluid preparations for gargling. 

Guttae. — [Medicines directed to be taken by " drops."] 

Haustus (Draught). — A medicine directed to be taken at a single 
" draught." 

Injectiones (Injections).— [These are of two kinds, Rectal (see Enemata), 
and Hypodermatic. The latter are highly concentrated solutions intended for 
use by means of a hypodermatic needle. (See p. 33.)] 

[Inhalations. — A common name for Vapores.] 

Insuffiationes. — Powdered medicines or medicated powders designed 
for blowing into the nares, larynx or throat. 

Lamellae (B. P.). — Small, thin discs made with gelatin and glycerin, 
and used to drop into the eye. They each weigh -^th of a grain. 






MODES OF ADMINISTRATION OF DRUGS. 33 

Linctus. — [(Never used in the United States.) A sweet mixture of a 
thick, syrupy consistence.] It is to be swallowed slowly, being retained some 
time in the mouth. 

Lotiones (Lotions). — Liquid, usually aqueous preparations for external 
vise, commonly applied upon lint [or muslin.] 

Mollinum. — An ointment having for its basis mollin, a superfatted soap. 

Nebulae [(Sprays).]. — Solutions sprayed into the throat by means of an 
atomizer. 

[Oxymella. — Mella containing acetic acid.] 

Paste. — A name often applied to an ointment. 

Pastillus (Pastilles). — [A name often applied to troches, and in England 
limited to] those having glyco gelatin as a basis. 

Succi [(Juices). — Expressed vegetable juices preserved by the addition of 
a definite proportion of alcohol ] 

Tabellae. — [A name often applied to troches, and in England restricted to 
those having chocolate as basis, and of definite weight ] 

Vapores. — [Liquid preparations intended for administration by inhalation 
in form of vapor.] 

PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS. 

Before describing the actions and uses of drugs we must con- 
sider the manner, quantity and form in which to give them. 

MODES OF ADMINISTRATION OF DRUGS. 

[a) Into the blood-vessels by injection. This method is -rarely used 
in man, excepting for transfusion of physiological saline solution. 

(b) Into the subcutaneous tissues by hypodermatic injection. The 
skin of the patient, where it is lax, should be raised between the thumb and 
forefinger of the operator's left hand; the skin of the external surface of the 
forearm is often selected. In his right hand he takes a perfectly clean syringe 
containing the quantity of fluid to be injected, and fitted with an aseptic, hollow, 
silver needle, which is thrust under the raised piece of skin, but not into the 
muscles, for about an inch, care being taken to avoid wounding a vein. The 
syringe is slowly emptied, then withdrawn, and the thumb pressed lightly upon 
the seat of injection for a few seconds. The advantage of this method is that 
the drug is surely and quickly absorbed. The fluid used must not contain solid 
particles, nor be irritating, or abscesses will result; it must be aseptic, and 
therefore, if it is not freshly prepared, it may contain a little carbolic acid — or, 
better still, boracic acid, for this is non-poisonous and non-irritating. The bulk 
injected should, if possible, be about five minims. For injections that are not 
in constant use it is advisable to keep the drugs in the form of soluble tablets 
or lamellae, and to dissolve one in a few minims of water as required. 



34 PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS. 

(<:) Into serous cavities by injection. This method is rarely used in 
man except when the object is to antiseptically wash out a serous cavity, as the 
pleura which has been opened, or to produce adhesive inflammation, as in the 
injection of irritants into the tunica vaginalis. 

(d) Into mucous cavities. — Drugs are most frequently given by the 
mouth, to be absorbed from the mucous membrane of the stomach or intestines, 
but the rate of absorption is much slower than from the subcutaneous tissue, 
and will depend upon whether the drug is readily soluble in the gastro-intestinal 
secretions, and whether it is given on an empty stomach, in which case it will 
be quickly absorbed; or on a full one, when it will be slowly absorbed. [When 
it is intended that the drug shall act only in the intestine, pills, made purposely 
insoluble in the gastric fluids, are administered.] Some drugs, given by the 
mouth and absorbed from the stomach, probably never reach the general circu- 
lation, as they are excreted in the bile by the liver. The drug must be in a 
pleasant, palatable form, and generally so combined as not to irritate. 

Drugs are sometimes given by the rectum — in a solid form as supposi- 
tories, in a liquid form as'enemata or clysters; but they are not dissolved nor 
absorbed here so quickly as in the stomach. 

For local effects they may be given by the urethra or vagina (injections, 
bougies, pessaries), or by the respiratory passages (vapors, cigarettes, 
sprays, or nebulae for inhalations ; insufflations for blowing into the throat 
and larynx; gargarismata, trochisci, for a local effect on the mouth and 
pharynx; nasal douches for the nose). For sprays an atomizer is required. 
Sometimes volatile drugs, as chloroform, ammonia, amyl nitrite, are inhaled 
for their general effect. 

(<?) By the skin. — Some drugs may be absorbed from the skin if mixed 
with some fatty substance, [especially lanolin.] In this way mercury may be ab- 
sorbed by being rubbed in; but drugs are chiefly applied to the skin as oint- 
ments, plasters, etc., for their local effect. 

They are also applied to the eye and ear as drops and washes. 



The study of doses is termed Posology. In determining the dose the 
following considerations have to be borne in mind: 

i. Age. — The adult dose is that for a person between twenty and sixty 
years old. [For women the dose should be somewhat smaller than for men.] 

For children under twelve add twelve to the age, and divide the age by 
the number thus obtained. Thus for a child aged eight the dose will be 

8 2 

3—7 = — of an adult dose. From twelve to sixteen years from | to l 

O -f- 12 5 J 3 2 

the adult dose is required, and from seventeen to twenty years from £ to f. 



doses. 35 

There are exceptions to this rule for individual drugs; e. g., children take iron, 
cod liver oil, arsenic, and chloral very well, but they can take only very small 
doses of opium. 

. Above sixty years of age the dose should slightly diminish as age in- 
creases. 

2. Weight. — In pharmacological experiments the dose should always be 
expressed as a proportion of the weight of the animal. In man the weight is 
not often considered, for it depends so much upon bone and fat, which are not 
active tissues. 

3. Habit. — A man who is constantly under the action of a drug becomes 
very insusceptible to it. Thus an opium eater requires enormous doses of opium 
to produce any effect. A person who habitually takes purgatives requires very 
strong ones to open the bowels. 

4. Idiosyncrasy. — The susceptibility to drugs varies very much. Some 
persons are salivated by minute doses of mercury, others bear it very well, and 
there is hardly a drug to which some people are not exceptionally indifferent or 
susceptible. 

5. Time of Administration. — Drugs all act to greatest advantage when 
given so that their effect will be produced at its natural time. Thus soporifics 
act best when given in the evening, slowly acting purgatives when given over- 
night, quickly acting ones when given before breakfast, ergot when given 
during labor. [Drugs which are readily decomposed by the contents of the 
stomach should be given when that viscus is empty, preferably an half hour 
before the meal time. ] 

6. Mode of Administration. — We have seen that drugs are rapidly ab- 
sorbed from the subcutaneous tissues. Therefore a smaller dose is required for 
subcutaneous injection than when the same drug is given by the stomach, for 
there absorption is slow. It is slower still from the rectum, therefore the dose 
must be larger. Also certain drugs are excreted by the liver or destroyed in it 
when given by the stomach. Absorption takes place quickly from an empty, 
slowly from a full stomach. 

7. Mental Emotion. — Sometimes if the patient's mind is paiticularly 
fixed on the action of the drug, a small dose is powerful. For example, often if 
the patient is convinced he will sleep, a very small dose of morphine is all that 
may be required. 

8. Temperature. — As the action of the drug on the organism is often 
partly chemical, the temperature must, in cold-blooded animals and excised 
structures, as muscle, etc., help to determine its action; but the temperature of 
man varies within so few degrees that this is not an important factor in 
medicine. 

9. Preparation of Drug. — A smaller dose of a soluble preparation, as a 
tincture, will be required than of a solid preparation, as a pill, which will have 



36 PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS. 

to be slowly dissolved before absorption, although in the latter case much de- 
pends upon the process of manufacture. 

10. Rate of Excretion. — It is obvious that, other things being equal, for 
prompt action a smaller dose will be required of a drug that is rapidly excreted 
than of one which is slowly excreted. [It is also true that, in order to maintain 
a continuous effect from drugs which are rapidly excreted, the doses must be 
repeated at shorter intervals.] 

11. Cumulative Action. — Sometimes it is found that if a person has 
been taking a drug regularly, but without the production of any toxicological 
symptoms, these will suddenly develop. This is said to be due to the cumula- 
tive action of the drug. It may be caused by the following circumstances : 

(a) The drug may be absorbed more rapidly than it is excreted. This is 
the cause of the cumulative action of mercury and lead, both of which are 
excreted with difficulty by the kidney. 

(b) There may be a sudden arrest in the excretion of the drug. It is 
probable that digitalis and strychnine, when the quantity of them in the tissues 
reaches a certain amount, contract the renal vessels, and hence excretion is 
arrested. 

(c) It is possible that, owing to an alteration in the intestinal contents, a 
drug which was previously very slowly dissolved becomes quickly dissolved, 
and hence rapidly absorbed. 

12. Disease. — The physiological action of drugs, and consequently the 
dose, are profoundly modified by disease. For example, a patient with peri- 
tonitis will bear enormous doses of opium. Antipyretics, which do not affect 
normal temperature, powerfully depress a febrile temperature. 

The tendency of modern therapeutics is towards smaller and more fre- 
quently repeated doses. 

PRESCRIBING. 
The more complex prescriptions consist of — 

(1) The Basis, or principal active ingredient (curare). 

(2) The Adjuvans, or that which assists its action (cito). 

(3) Tne Corrigens, or that which corrects its operation (tuto). 

(4) The Constituens, vehicle, or excipient, which imparts an agreeable 
form (jucunde). 

Thus the object of every prescription is to cure quickly, safely and pleas- 
antly. For example, [in Pilula Rhei Composita the rhubarb is the basis, the 
aloes and myrrh form the adjuvans, and the oil of peppermint is the corrigens 
to prevent the griping.] In Mistura Cretse the cinnamon water is the vehicle. 
Many drugs do not require anything to assist their action or correct their 
operation. [The scientific physician usually prefers to administer the remedies 



PRESCRIBING. 



37 



separately, in order to more accurately observe their effect, and as well to dis- 
continue, or change the dose of, any one which may be necessary.] 

Incompatibility of ingredients should be particularly 
avoided in prescriptions. There are three kinds of incompati- 
bility : 

(a) Chemical Incompatibility ; e. g. glucosides should not be ordered 
with free acids, which decompose them ; nor alkalies, alkaline salts, iodides, or 
bromides with alkaloids, for they precipitate them. 

The following table, drawn up by Potter \f Materia Medica, Pharmacy and 
Therapeutics, 4th Ed., p. 457, )~\ shows the most important instances 
of solutions which mutually precipitate each other. P means "forms 
a precipitate with" 





in 

a 
_o 

Is 

S s 

< 

P 
P 
P 

P 
P 

V 


a 

_o 

OS 
« as 

« 

S C 

«J 

P 
P 
P 

P 
P 

Y 

p 
p 


J3 

"o 

!/] 
U 

Z * 
s c 

.2 


u 

p 
p 
p 
p 
p 
p 
p 
p 
p 
p 
p 
p 


c 
.2 

"o 

'G 

H 

u 

p 

Y 

p 
p 


_o 

in 
O 

V 

G 

bo 

s 
p 
Y 
Y 


Jt 

"3 n 
W> c 

°l 

n~° 
O <" 
.S en 

u 

< 

Y 


Solutions of alkalies 


Tannic acid 

Carbonic acid and solutions of carbonates . 
Sulphuric acid and solutions of sulphates . 
Phosphoric acid and solutions of phosphates 
Boric acid and solutions of borates .... 
Hydrochloric acid and solutions of chlorides 
Hydrobromic acid and solutions of bromides 
Hydriodic acid and solutions of iodides . . 
Solutions of sulphides 


Arsenical solutions 




Albumin 









Examples of chemical incompatibility are the prescribing of (1) tannic 
acid or substances containing it with alkaloids or metallic salts, especially those 
of iron ; (2) vinegars or syrups containing acetic acid prescribed with carbon- 
ates lead to the evolution of carbon dioxide ; (3) strychnine sulphate is decom- 
posed by potassium bromide, and strychnine is precipitated ; (4) chloral and 
alkalies form chloroform; (51 quinine sulphate and potassium acetate together 
cause a voluminous precipitate of quinine acetate; (6) lime water with 
mercury salts (this incompatibility is intentional in Lotio Nigra and Lotio 
Flava), precipitates mercuric oxides; it decomposes carbonates and bicarbon- 



38 PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS. 

ates of alkalies ; it precipitates solutions of quinine and morphine salts ; (7) 
corrosive mercuric chloride is incompatible with most substances. 

With the following drugs it is particularly difficult to avoid chemical 
incompatibility : 



Potassium Acetate. 

Potassium Bromide. 

Tannic Acid. 

Gallic Acid. 

Acidum Hydrocyanicum Dilutum. 

Mineral Acids. 

Liquor Potassse. 

Quinine Sulphate. 

Tincture of Guaiacum. 



Chlorine in solution. 
Liquid preparations of Iron. 
Lead salts. 
Zinc salts. 
Silver salts. 

Corrosive Mercuric Chloride (espe- 
cially). 
Iodine and the Iodides. 
Potassium Permanganate. 

Substances rich in oxygen, as chlorates, iodates, permanganates, pi- 
crates, nitrates and bichromates should not be mixed with feadily oxidiza- 
ble substances, such as charcoal, sulphur, iodine, carbolic acid, glycerin, 
turpentine, and organic compounds generally, for explosive compounds are 
very liable to be formed. 

Poisonous compounds may be formed by the admixture of substances 
in solution; e. g., potassium chlorate and the syrup of ferrous iodide liberate 
iodine, dilute hydrocyanic acid and calomel form mercuric cyanide, potas- 
sium chlorate and potassium iodide form at the temperature of the body a 
poisonous compound, probably potassium iodate. 

If, in a mixture, incompatibles are inevitable, they should both be diluted 
with the vehicle before they are added to each other. The careful prescriber 
will avoid combining any of the above incompatible substances. 

(b) Physical Incompatibility. — This occurs when the mixture of the sub- 
stances will not form a clear solution; e. g., insoluble powders and oils will not 
mix with water, the addition of which, to all spirits and all resinous tinctures, 
causes a precipitate; an acid and quinine mixture is flavored with liquorice, 
but the acid precipitates glycyrrhizin ; an alcoholic solution added to chloral 
causes all the chloral to rise to the top. 

In such cases the aqueous solution may be thickened so that the precipi- 
tate is suspended in it to form an emulsion, but even then the mixture must 
be shaken before a dose is taken. Mucilage of acacia, freshly made, is the 
best emulsifying agent. The substances incompatible with it are mentioned 
on p. 21. It should be made perfectly fresh. The addition of a little almond 
oil improves its appearance. 

1 pt. of most fixed oils requires of acacia ^ pt., water I pt. 
I pt. of balsam of Peru " 2 " \]/ 2 

I pt. of oil of turpentine " 1 " 1 



THE PRESCRIPTION. 39 

Tragacanth is often used to form an emulsion or suspension, and some- 
times yolk of egg or milk are employed. Liquor Potassae much facilitates 
the admixture of fixed oils and water. Tincture of senega aids the emulsifica- 
tion of any oil, even in small quantities, T^x being sufficient for an ounce of a 
fixed oil. [Extractum quillajae, one grain dissolved in one ounce of water, will 
make a tolerably permanent emulsion with one ounce of fixed oil, or one 
drachm of oleoresin.] Magnesium carbonate is employed to aid the diffusion 
of an oil in water through which air is to be inhaled. The suspension of oil 
of turpentine in mucilage of acacia is a very common non-official example of 
an emulsion. 

(c) Pharmacological Incompatibility ; e.g., the combination of purgatives 
with astringents. Sometimes this is intentional, as in the occasional addition 
of atropine to a hypodermatic solution of morphine. After the description of 
each drug, those that are incompatible with it will be enumerated. 

THE PRESCRIPTION. 
The details of a prescription should be written in the follow- 
ing order: 

The first part is the Superscription, which is the sign R , an abbreviation 
for Recipe, " Take." 

The second part is the Inscription, consisting of the names of the drugs in 
the genitive case (the vehicle in the accusative if ad is used with it), and their 
doses in the accusative. 

The third part is the Subscription, that is to say, the directions to the 
dispenser. This in England and some other countries is written in Latin. 

The fourth part is the Signature, that is to say, the directions to the patient 
(from the Latin " Signetur," let it be labeled). This is written in English. 

The fifth part consists of the physician's name or initials at the bottom on 
the right, the patient's name at the bottom on the left, and under it the date; 
thus : 

Superscription. — R . 

Inscription. — Tincturse Ferri Chloridi, flgiij (basis). 

Quininse Hydrochloratis, gr. xxx (adjuvans). 
Magnesii Sulphatis, t ^ij (corrigens). 
Glycerini, fl^ij (corrigens). 
Infusum [Cinchona;], ad fl^viij (excipient). 
Subscription. — Fiat mistura. 

Signature. — Take one table -spoonful three times daily, two hours after 
meals. A. B. C. (physician's initials). 

William Smith, Esq. (patient's name). 
1 6th June, 1891 (date). 



40 PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS. 

Abbreviations. — Although abbreviations are objectionable, yet this pre- 
scription could be written thus : 

R . Tinct. Fer. Chlor., fl^iij. 
Quin. Hydrochlor., gr. xxx. 
Mag. Sulphat. ^ij. 
Glycer./flgij. 
Inf. [Cinch.] adflgviij. 
F. m. 

S. Take one table -spoonful thrice daily, two hours after meals. 

William Smith, Esq. A. B. C. 

1 6th June, 1891. 

S } ss and fs are abbreviations for semi, a half, and dd for ana, of each. 

The medicine may be prescribed as a pill when it is required that the 
patient shall carry it about with him, when only a small dose is needed, when 
it is desirable that it shall act slowly, when it is required to act on the lower 
bowel, when it is insoluble or nauseous, or when it is difficult to prescribe in 
the liquid form. Xaolin is the best basis for substances decomposed by con- 
tact with organic matter, as potassium permanganate. 

Oils, and volatile, deliquescent or bulky substances should not be pre- 
scribed as pills, as they require much solid excipient; nor should pills be used 
for substances required to act immediately. 

Abbreviations should be employed as little as possible. Serious mis- 
takes have happened because the abbreviations have been ambiguous. The 
following are especially to be avoided : 

Acid. Hydroc. (may be Acidum Hydrochloricum or Acidum Hydrocy- 

anicum). 
Ext. Col. ( " " Extractum Colchici or Extractum Colocynthidis). 

Hyd. Chlor. ( " " Calomel, Corrosive sublimate or Chloral hydrate). 
Hyd. ( " " Hydrargyrum, Hydras, Hydriodas, Hydrochloras 

or Hydrocyanicus). 
Sulph. ( " " Sulphur, Sulphide, Sulphate, or Sulphite). 

Sometimes the signature is written in Latin, and it is often abbreviated. 
A list of such abbreviations is given in the appendix. 

In Great Britain [and in the United States] it is always understood, unless 
otherwise stated, that the preparations are those of the Pharmacopoeia. 

Ad. — The prescriber should be careful in deciding whether or not to use 
this word before the vehicle. If it had been left out in the prescription just 
given, the bulk of the mixture would have been nearly 10^ fluid ounces, and 
the amount of the ingredients in each dose would have been less than was in- 
tended. 






THE PRESCRIPTION. 4 I 

Dispensing the Prescription. — The dispenser should bear the following 
rules in mind: — (i) Read the prescription through first. (2) Next write the 
directions, so that they have time to dry. (3) Solution by heat should not be 
used if more of the salt is ordered than will dissolve in cold water. In such 
case it must be suspended. (4) With fluids, measure them in such an order 
that the measuring glass shall be finally rinsed out with the vehicle. (5) Use 
glass scale pans. (6) Clean and put away everything directly after use. (7) 
If in the slightest doubt ask the prescriber. (8) If finally the prescription con- 
tains any insoluble matter, label " Shake the bottle." (9) If the medicine is 
very poisonous, label it as such and use a distinctive bottle. (10) If for out- 
ward application only, [label it as such.]. (11) In dispensing substances 
chemically incompatible, if there is any likelihood that the new body formed is 
dangerous, communicate with the prescriber before dispensing (<?. g. potassium 
iodide prescribed with Spiritus iEtheris Nitrosi forms free iodine; alkaloids are 
precipitated by alkalies). Should there be no such reason against dispensing 
the prescription {e.g. Liq. Potassse and Ferrum Dialysatum), keep the incom- 
patibles as far apart as possible by diluting each with the vehicle before mixing. 

PHARMACOLOGICAL AND THERAPEUTICAL ACTIONS. 

When the action of a drug is spoken of, the physiological 
action is usually understood. 

The primary action is that due to the unaltered drug; e.g. the emetic 
action of zinc sulphate. 

The secondary action is that due to compounds formed from the drug 
whilst it is in the body; e. g., the antiseptic effect on the urine of the Uva Ursi 
taken by the mouth is probably due to the fact that arbutin, the active principle 
of Uva Ursi, is in its passage through the kidney decomposed into a glucoside 
and hydroquinone, and the latter is a powerful antiseptic. 

The direct or local action of a drug is that produced on any organ with 
which it comes in contact; e. g., the cantharidin in cantharides, in being ex- 
creted through the kidney, causes inflammation of it. 

The indirect or remote action is a secondary effect, the result of the 
direct effect; e. g., curare paralyzes the respiratory muscles, consequently the 
blood becomes venous, and therefore convulsions take place. In this case the 
venosity of the blood and the convulsions are each of them indirect actions of 
curare. 

It is clear that among drugs acting on the same parts, the total effect will 
depend very much upon which part is first affected. For example, atropine 
and curare will paralyze motor nerves, but atropine first affects the termina- 
tions of the vagus, and only late in its action the motor nerves of the voluntary 
and respiratory muscles; hence paralysis and asphyxia are late symptoms, and 



42 PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS. 

a rapid pulse is an early symptom. Curare, however, early affects the nerve- 
endings of the voluntary and respiratory muscles, and the heart towards the 
end ; therefore asphyxia and paralysis occur early, and a rapid pulse is a late 
symptom. 

Relation between Chemical Constitution and Physiological Action. 
— It is probable that ultimately this relationship will be found to be very close, 
for certain well-marked instances of it have already been discovered; for ex- 
ample, if strychnine, brucine and thebaine are converted into methyl-strych- 
nine, methyl-brucine and methyl -thebaine, for the convulsive action of each of 
the first three substances there is substituted a paralyzing action. With regard 
to the chemical composition, sometimes the base and sometimes the* acid ap- 
pears to determine the action — for example, all salts of arsenic have the same 
effect; but, on the other hand, potassium, sodium, ammonium [and strontium] 
bromides are similar to each other in their action. No relationship has yet 
been made out between the spectroscopic characters, the atomic weights, or 
the isomorphism of drugs. 

Drugs may be classified according to the parts on which they act, and be- 
fore describing each individual drug, a classification on this principle will be 
given. 

Division I. — Drugs acting upon Organisms which infect the 
Human Body, or upon Processes going on outside it. 

Antiseptics are drugs which arrest putrefaction, either by 
preventing the growth of, or completely destroying the micro- 
organism on which decomposition depends. Some authors limit 
the use of the word to those drugs which prevent the growth of 
micro-organisms, and call those substances which destroy the 
micro-organisms, disinfectants. 

Statements are most discordant as to whether cerain sub- 
stances are antiseptics, and as to the strength of their antiseptic 
power. This is because antiseptics act differently on different 
organisms ; and the distinction has not been drawn between pre- 
venting the growth of, and destroying micro-organisms. Also 
because the power of antiseptics depends upon the temperature at 
which they act, the medium in which they are dissolved, the 
strength of the solution, the time given them to act, and the 
number of micro-organisms present in the substances to which 
they are added. 

To properly test the value of an antiseptic the above condi- 



ANTISEPTICS. 43 

tions must be noted. All instruments and substances— except the 
fluid containing the micro-organisms to be tested — are heated so 
that any adventitious micro-organisms are destroyed. A cultivat- 
ing medium, such as agar-agar jelly, in which the micro-organisms 
will grow, is selected, and two test-tubes, each containing some 
of it, are taken ; to one of these the supposed antiseptic is added. 
Some fluid containing the micro-organisms is then added to both 
test-tubes ; both are plugged with sterilized cotton to prevent the 
entrance of germs from the air, and it is observed whether the 
micro-organisms will grow in the tube containing no antiseptic, 
but not in that containing the antiseptic. As the power of an 
antiseptic depends on so many circumstances, no exact order of 
their potency can be given, but roughly the more powerful are 
placed first in the following list ; the last are very feeble : 

i. Heat. — This is the best antiseptic, but a temperature of at least 212 
F. is required. After an infectious fever, clothing, bedding, etc., may be heated 
in a dry air chamber to between 200 and 300 F. ; or what is far better, as 
the interior of the rolls of fabrics often hardly gets heated at all, steam under 
pressure may be driven through them. Another useful way is to boil the in- 
fected things in water. Surgical instruments are disinfected in this way. 

2. Corrosive Mercuric Chloride. — A solution of 1 in 1000 is constantly 
used for washing hands, and many other purposes connected with midwifery 
and surgical operations. 

3. Chlorine is, as a rule, too irritating. Chlorine gas, disengaged by the 
action of hydrochloric acid on manganese dioxide, may be used to disinfect a 
room, the windows, chimneys and doors of which are sealed. Disengaged 
from chlorinated lime, it is used to disinfect urinals. It must be remembered 
that it attacks and bleaches many substances. 

4. Bromine, and 5, Iodine are rarely used, as they are too irritating. 

6. Carbolic acid is largely used. 

7. Quinine, and 8, Salicylic acid are too expensive for ordinary use. 
9. Iodoform is commonly used to dust upon wounds, etc. 

10. Boric acid is used for many surgical purposes. 

ii. Zinc chloride, and 12, Potassium permanganate are much used 
domestically. 

13. Oleum Eucalypti is used in surgery. 

14. Sulphurous acid, disengaged by the burning of sulphur, is used to 
disinfect rooms. 

15. Creosote, 16. Benzoin, 17. Zinc sulphate, 18. Ferric oxide, 



44 PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS. 

19. Lime, 20. Thymol, 21. Alcohol, 22. Balsam of Tolu, 23. Balsam of 

Peru, are none of them much used. 

We do not know of any drugs which, when taken internally 
or inhaled, will certainly destroy micro organisms, either in the 
gastro-intestinal tract or respiratory passages, unless they are suf- 
ficiently concentrated to be fatal to the patient. Some authori- 
ties, however, consider that naphtol will destroy micro-organisms 
in the stomach and intestines. [However, salol is a better intes- 
tinal disinfectant.] 

Deodorants, or deodorizers, are substances which destroy 
disagreeable smells. There are too many for enumeration. 
Many antiseptics are deodorizers. Charcoal is often called a 
disinfectant, but it is merely a deodorizer. It is powerless if it 
is wet. 

Antizymotics. — This is a word sometimes applied to drugs 
which arrest fermentation. 

Anthelmintics are drugs which kill such parasitic worms as 
infest the alimentary canal. Three kinds only are commonly 
met with : 

(1) Tapeworm ( Tania solium and Tania mediocanellata). Anthelmintics : 
Aspidium (mostly used), Oleum Terebinthinse, Kamala, Cusso, [Gran- 
atum, Pepo.] 

(2) Round-worm {Ascaris himbricoides) Anthelmintics : Santonin, [Spi- 
gelia and Senna.] 

(3) Thread worm (Oxyuris vermicular! s). Anthelmintics: Rectal in- 
jections of salt water, infusion of quassia, solutions of iron salts, or di- 
luted oil of turpentine. It is doubtful whether these drugs (except turpen 
tine) relieve the patient by killing the thread-worms which inhabit the rectum, 
or merely, by removal of mucus, render this part unfit for them. [It is probable 
that rectal injections are useless. Large soap and water enemata, the patient 
being in the knee-chtst position, give the best results. (Whittaker.) ]. 

Anthelmintics for the tape- or round-worm should be given 
when the alimentary tract is empty. Hence it is a good plan to 
give a dose of castor oil a few hours before the anthelmintic, so 
as to ensure that the drug comes in contact with the worm. To 
expel the dead parasite a purgative should be given a few hours 
after the anthelmintic. Purgatives used for this purpose are 



DRUGS ACTING ON THE BLOOD. 45 

called Vermifuges. Vermicide is a term sometimes applied 
to drugs which kill intestinal entozoa. 

Antiparasitics or parasiticides are substances which destroy 
parasites. The term is usually applied to those which destroy 
parasites infesting the skin. 

(i) For the various forms of tinea the following are used: — Mercurial 
preparations, especially the oleate, tincture of iodine, glycerite of carbolic 
acid, an ointment of pyrogallic acid, a boric acid lotion, salicylic acid 
lotion, acidum sulphurosum, and thymol; and if the patches are small, 
severe irritants, as croton oil, cantharides, and chrysarobin ointment. Tinea 
versicolor never requires severe irritants. 

(2) As a parasiticide for itch, sulphur ointment is generally used. Bal- 
sam of Peru and Styrax are also effectual. 

(3) Pediculi vestimentorum will be killed by any mild parasiticide. Un- 
guentum Staphisagria? (unofficial; 1 part powdered seeds, 2 parts each, olive 
oil and lard), is often used. 

(4) Pediculi capitis and pediculi pubis are also easily killed by mild para- 
siticides; mercurials are commonly employed, so also is Unguentum Staphi- 
sagrise. 

Antiperiodics are drugs which arrest the return of diseases 
which recur periodically. Nothing is known about their mode 
of action. 

They are cinchona bark, quinine and its salts (by far the most powerful), 
cinchonine, arsenous acid, eucalyptus, hydrastis, salicin, salicylic acid 
and berberine. They are used for all forms of intermittent fever and neuralgia. 

Division II. — Drugs acting on the Blood. 

A. Drugs acting on the Plasma. — Many substances 
must after absorption exist in solution in the plasma, and purga- 
tives, diuretics and diaphoretics must alter the composition of the 
plasma by abstracting substances from it; but while drugs are 
given with the object of acting on the plasma it is in order to 
render it more alkaline, we know no drugs which will make 
it acid, or even markedly reduce the natural alkalinity of the 
plasma, as the mineral acids can only exist in it in the form of 
neutral salts. 



4.6 PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS. 

The alkalizers of the plasma are salts of — 

(i) Potassium. (4) Lithium. 

(2) Sodium. (5) Magnesium. 

(3) Ammonium. (6) Calcium. 

This is approximately the order of their alkalizing power. Potassium is 
certainly the most powerful. Calcium is very feeble. 

The citrates and tartrates of these metals are decomposed in 
the plasma into alkaline carbonates. An extremely valuable 
property of alkalizers is the power they have of uniting with uric 
acid in the plasma, and forming urates, which are much more 
soluble than free uric acid. The diuretic effect of the alkali 
aids the excretion of the urates. 

Therapeutics. — The chief use of alkalies is their adminis- 
tration in gout, in which disease the uric acid is greatly in excess 
in the plasma. As the treatment has to be continued for some 
time, a preparation which does not upset digestion, such as po- 
tassium citrate, is usually preferred, or lithium citrate, for the 
lithium compound of uric acid is the most soluble. For the 
same purpose the numerous natural alkaline waters are frequently 
prescribed. 

In lead-poisoning the lead is locked up in the tissues in a 
very sparingly soluble form. Potassium iodide is given with the 
object of forming a lead iodide soluble in the plasma, and conse- 
quently capable of excretion by the kidneys. 

Alkalies have been largely used in rheumatic fever, on the 
assumption that there is a deletorious agent in the plasma, and 
that its solubility is increased by increasing the alkalinity of the 
plasma; but this treatment has now been abandoned in favor of 
that by salicylates. For the same theoretical reason alkalies have 
been given in rheumatoid arthritis. 

Purgatives , diaphoretics and diuretics necessarily alter the 
composition of the plasma, and are largely used when there is 
much oedema of any part, or effusion into serous cavities, in the 
hope that as fast as these remedies drain off fluid from the plasma 
it will be replaced by that which is effused pathologically. Also 
they are given in conditions, as uraemia, in which it is thought 



DRUGS ACTING ON THE BLOOD. 47 

that there are poisons in the blood, in order that their excretion 
may be hastened. 

The composition of the plasma can also be altered directly 
either by venesection or transfusion. 

B. Drugs acting on the Red Corpuscles. — The most 
important are those which can increase the amount of haemoglobin 
when that is deficient. Strictly speaking, all these have a patho- 
logical and not a physiological action, for we know of no drugs 
which will increase the amount of iron in perfectly healthy blood. 
These drugs are called hsematinics. 

They are — (4} Copper salts. 

(1) Iron and its salts. (5) Hydrochloric acid (doubtful). 

(2) Arsenous acid. (6) Potassium salts (doubtful). 

(3) Potassium permanganate. (7) Phosphorus (doubtful). 

They not only increase the quantity of haemoglobin in each 
corpuscle, but all the number of red corpuscles. Their action is 
much aided by good food, fresh air, and attention to the general 
health, and especially to the digestive organs. The mode of ac- 
tion of these hsematinics is very obscure, and will be discussed 
under each drug. Iron is by far the most important. 

Indirect hsematinics are drugs which benefit the patient 
by removing some obvious cause for his deficiency in haemoglobin, 
or anaemia, as it is generally termed. Such are mercury, given 
for syphilis, quinine for ague, &c. 

Alcohol and quinine diminish the oxygenating power of the blood, for 
they render oxyhemoglobin a more stable compound than it usually is, but their 
action in this direction is slight. Citrates and tartrates of the alkaline metals 
are partially oxidized to carbonates at the expense of the oxygen of the red 
blood-corpuscles. Quinine and hydrocyanic acid diminish the ozonizing power 
of the blood. 

The size of the red blood-corpuscles is said to be diminished by carbonic 
acid and morphine, and to be increased by oxygen, hydrocyanic acid, and 
quinine; and their number is said to be increased by small doses of mercury, 
when administered for a considerable time. 

A large amount of sodium chloride causes the red corpuscles to pass 
rapidly through the walls of the capillaries. 

There are some drugs which are not employed therapeutically 



48 PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS. 

for their action on the blood, which are nevertheless very impor- 
tant physiologically and toxicologically, for they kill by altering 
the composition of the haemoglobin, thus preventing its 
uniting with oxygen. Such are carbon dioxide, which turns out 
the oxygen from oxyhemoglobin, hydrocyanic acid, which forms 
cyano-haemoglobin, and potassium chlorate. Acetanilid, anti- 
pyrin, phenacetin, and nitrites, especially amyl nitrite, convert 
the haemoglobin into methaemoglobin ; acetanilid, amyl nitrite, 
and potassium chlorate, like pyrogallic acid, destroy the red cor- 
puscles. 

Phosphorus, arsenic, hydrogen sulphide, turpentine, iodine, and sulphur 
also reduce oxyhemoglobin. Phosphorus is especially destructive to the 
blood. 

When freshly drawn blood is exposed to the air its oxidization is dimin- 
ished by hydrocyanic acid, alcohol, chloroform, quinine, morphine, nicotine, 
strychnine, and brucine. 

C. Drugs acting on the White Corpuscles. — Most if 
not all drugs which are poisons to amoebae are poisons to white 
corpuscles when applied in sufficient strength, which, however, is 
rarely the case in the human body. x\ll irritants which set up 
inflammation cause the white blood-corpuscles to wander through 
the capillary walls; and all the cinchona alkaloids, viz., qui- 
nine, quinidine, cinchonine, and cinchonidine, have the power 
of arresting this migrat on; of these, quinine is the most power- 
ful. Berberine sulphate and acetanilid are also powerful. 
If the quinine is circulating in the capillaries, it prevents the 
white corpuscles from wandering out ; if it is applied to the out- 
side of the vessels, it prevents the corpuscles from wandering away 
from the vessel through the wall of which they have passed. 

Veratrine applied to white corpuscles outside the body kills them. 

Myrrh and other aromatics are said to increase their production by in- 
creasing absorption from the intestine. 

The following facts do not fall under any of the previous headings : — Poi- 
sonous doses of mercury increase the fluidity of the blood, impair its power of 
coagulation, and diminish the solids in it. Cod liver ojl increases the solids of 
the blood. Potassium iodide is said to increase the power of coagulation; 
other substances doing this will be described under astringents. 



DRUGS ACTING ON THE HEART. 49 

Division III. — Drugs acting on the Cardiac Mechanism. 
The heart is capable of spontaneously originating impulses 
which in health begin in the sinus venosus, and spread downwards 
over the auricle and the ventricle to the apex. It used to be con- 
sidered that these movements were due to spontaneous impulses 
proceeding from the cardiac ganglia surrounding chiefly the en- 
trance of the superior and inferior vtnse cavae, the entrance of 
the pulmonary veins, and the auriculo-ventricular groove; but 
we now know that there is no certain evidence that these ganglia 
originate impulses, and most of the evidence goes to show that 
the contraction of the muscular fibres is due to spontaneous im- 
pulses arising in them. This contractile power of the muscular 
fibres can be inhibited by the vagus, the fibres of which proceed 
from the vagal nucleus in the medulla, and can be augmented by 
the augmentor or accelerator nerve-fibres, which proceed down- 
wards in the cervical spinal cord to the upper dorsal nerves, from 
which they pass through the first thoracic ganglion to the sym- 
pathetic, and so to the cardiac plexus, and thence to the heart. 
We are ignorant of any function for the cardiac ganglia ; we 
know that medullated nerve-fibres lose their medulla in them, 
and that more fibres proceed from them than enter them. Possi- 
bly they have a nutritive function. We have, therefore, only to 
consider the action of drugs on the muscular substance of the 
heart, on the vagal or inhibitory fibres, on the vagal centre, on 
the augmentor, accelerator, or sympathetic fibres, and on the 
accelerator centre. The centres are remarkably easily affected 
by afferent impulses, proceeding from the heart itself or from 
almost any part of the body. Our information concerning the 
action of drugs on the heart of man is necessarily rather inexact, 
for many experiments are difficult to perform upon the mammalian 
heart, consequently the cold-blooded animals have been largely 
used ; and as some differences are observed among them — for 
example, between the frog and the tortoise— it is probable that 
the deductions drawn from experiments upon the hearts of warm- 
blooded animals are not wholly applicable to man. In the fol- 
lowing account of drugs the action described is that of a 
5 



5<3 PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS. 

moderate dose ; the action of a large dose is generally the reverse 
of that of a moderate dose. 

A. Drugs acting upon the Heart directly. — Our 
knowledge of these has been gained by studying the action of 
drugs upon excised hearts or pieces of the heart, and the action 
of drugs locally applied to the heart, either by gently applying a 
solution externally, or by means of a transfusion canula. It is 
difficult to decide whether a drug acts upon the muscular fibre 
itself, or upon the fine nerves between these fibres, so that no 
attempt will here be made to distinguish between these actions. 
As the apex of the heart contains fewer nerves than the rest of the 
organ, it has been concluded that if a drug acts upon the apex, 
when it is cut off from the remainder of the heart, it acts upon the 
muscle only ; but it would be difficult absolutely to deny the ex- 
istence of fine nerve-fibres in the apex. The vagus or inhibitory 
nervous mechanism has been much more studied than the accel- 
erating. The effect of stimulating the muscle may be either to 
increase the rate or the force of the beat, or to do both ; that of 
stimulating the minute branches of the vagus or its terminations 
in the heart will be either to diminish the rate or the force of the 
beat, or both ; and the effect of stimulating the accelerator fibres 
will be just the opposite ; and in each of these cases the effect of 
paralyzing will be the reverse of stimulating. The distinction 
between a stimulating effect on the terminations of the vagus and 
a depressing effect on the terminations of the accelerator nerves 
might be determined by observing the effect of stimulation of 
each of these nerves before and after the local applination of the 
drug, provided that it has been shown that the muscle itself is not 
affected by the drug ; but this is often difficult to prove. It is 
easily seen that the complexity of the problem is so great that it 
will be most convenient to classify the drugs which act locally on 
the heart by the effect they produce, without attempting to say 
whether they act on the muscle or nerve terminations. 
Drugs increasing the force of the contraction : 

(i) Digitalis. (3) Strophanthus. 

(2) Sparteine. (4) Squill. 



DRUGS ACTING ON THE HEART. 



51 



(5) Saponin. (8) Veratrine. 

(6) Convallaria Majalis. (9) Erythrophlceum. 

(7) Caffeine. 

In large doses these drugs in frogs always cause arrest of heart in systole ; 
in mammals the final arrest may be in diastole with some, e. g. digitalis. 
They all slow the pulse. 



('4) 
(15) 



(10) Dilute solutions of salts of 

the alkaline metals. 

(11) " of barium salts. 

(12) " of copper double salts. 

(16) Camphor. 

These drugs have the same action without the final arrest in systole 
rate of the pulse is not markedly altered. 

Drugs the chief action of which is to decrease the force of the contraction 
usually with stoppage in diastole : 



(13) Dilute solution of zinc 
double salts. 
" of chloral. 
Physostigmine. 



The 



(1 Dilute acids. 

(2) Strong solutions of salts of 

the alkaline metals. 

(3) " of barium salts. 

(4) " of copper double salts. 

(5) " of zinc double salts. 

(6) Strong solutions of chloral. 



(7) Muscarine. 

(8) Pilocarpine. 

(9) Saponin (large doses). 

(10) Apomorphine. 

(11) Emetine. 

(12) Salicylic acid (large doses). 



Drugs an important action of which is to increase the rate of the cardiac 



beat : 

(1) 
(2) 
(3) 
(4) 



Atropine. 
Hyoscyamine. 
Daturine. 
Duboisine. 



(5) Cocaine. 

(6) Sparteine. 

(7) Saponin. 



Drugs an important action of which is to slow the rate of the cardiac beat 
(see also first list given above) : 

(1) Muscarine. (2) Pilocarpine. 

Drugs which increase both the force and the number of the beats : 



(1) Alcohol. 

(2) Ether. 

(3) Chloroform. 

(4) [Cactus.] 



(5) 
(6) 
(7) 
(8) 



Anaesthetics. 
Arsenical salts. 
Quinine. 
Strychnine. 



Drugs which decrease both the force and the nuf/iber of the beats , 



(1) Antimony salts. 

(2) Aconite. 

(3) Hydrocyanic acid. 



(4) Ergot. 

(5) Veratrum Viride. 

(6) Cevadilla. 



52 PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS. 

B. Drugs acting on the Vagus Centre.— If we observe 
that the giving of a drug to an animal alters the beat of the heart, 
but that this alteration can be done away with, either by cutting 
the vagi or stimulating the peripheral end of the nerve, — if one 
only of them be cut, — we may conclude that the drug acted on 
the vagus centre in the medulla. 

Drugs which stimulate the vagus centre : that u to say, the pulse is slowed, 
but this slowing disappears on section of the vagi : v 



(i) Chloroform. 

(2) Chloral. 

(3) Butyl-chloral hydrate. 

(4) Aconite. 

(5) Veratrum Viride. 

(6) Nicotine. 

(7) Digitalis 

(8) [Sparteine.] 

(9) Strophanthus. 



(10) Squill. 

(11) Convallaria Majalis. 

(12) Hydrocyanic acid. 

(13) Staphisagria (Delphinine). 

(14) Atropine. \ Only very 

(15) Hyoscyamine. I early in their 

(16) Daturine ) action. 

(17) Increased blood-pressure. 

(18) Venous blood. 



Drugs which depress the vagus ce7itre : Large doses of the drugs mentioned 
in the last list, and drugs which diminish the blood-pressure, such as amyl 
nitrite, nitro-glycerin and the nitrites. 

C. Drugs acting on the Accelerating Centre. — We do 

not know anything of drugs which depress this. Some probably 
stimulate it, for their administration renders the pulse still more 
rapid after the vagi have been cut. 



They are — 

(1) Ammonia. 

(2) Caffeine 

(3) Picrotoxin. 

(4) [Cactus.] 



(5) Delphinine. 

(6) Any drugs which make the 

blood venous. 



Therapeutics. — The drugs most used for their action on 
the heart are digitalis, sparteine, squill, strophanthus, convallaria 
majalis, caffeine, alcohol, ether, chloroform, [cactus,] strychnine, 
belladonna, aconite, antimony, and hydrocyanic acid. The 
therapeutic indication for each of these drugs will be found given 
under the individual drug. 



DRUGS ACTING ON THE VESSELS. 53 

Division IV. — Drugs acting on the Vessels. 

These are usually studied either by directly observing altera- 
tions in the size of the vessels in some thin structure, such as the 
ear of a rabbit, the mesentery, tongue, lung, web, or mylo-hyoid 
muscle of a frog, or the wing of a bat ; or the rate of the flow 
may be observed. This can be conveniently done by cutting 
some part, as the toe of a frog, and noticing the rate at which 
the blood flows from the cut vessels with and without the admin- 
istration of the drug to the animal. It is often necessary that an 
artificial circulation should be maintained j for if not, it might 
be difficult to prove that the alteration in the quantity of blood 
flowing from the cut surface was not due to influences acting on 
the cardiac mechanism. In order to determine if the changes 
are due to local or central effects, it is necessary to destroy the 
spinal cord, or to cut the nerves going to the part. When a drug 
is applied locally, as to the mesentery, and the vessels alter, if the 
nerves going to the part are not cut, it is difficult to say whether 
this alteration is direct or reflex. 

Drugs are applied to the interior of vessels by injecting them 
into the circulation. 

We know that each vessel is controlled by vaso-constrictor and 
vaso-dilator nerves, and that these proceed by different paths 
from the central nervous system, but we do not know by which 
set of nerves drugs act ; probably some by the vaso-constrictor, 
and some by the vaso-dilator. We can only classify the drugs 
into those which dilate or contract the vessels by local action, 
and those which produce these effects through their action on the 
central nervous system. When a drug acts locally we cannot tell 
whether it acts on the muscle in the wail of the vessel, or on the 
nerve terminations. 

It of course follows that drugs acting on the heart, or on a large 
area, will considerably modify the blood-pressure. 

A. Drugs acting locally on Vessels. 

Drugs which, ivhen locally applied to vessels, dilate them : 
(i) Liquor Ammoniae. (3) Zinc chloride (strong). 

(2) Silver nitrate (strong). I (4) Copper nitrate. 



54 



PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS. 



(5) Copper sulphate (strong). 



(6) 


Mercuric nitrate. 


(7) 


Arsenous 


acid. 


(8) Antimony 


chloride. 


(9) Antimony 


and potassium 




tartrate. 




(10) 


Iodine. 




(») 


Bromine. 




(12) 


Chlorine. 





(13) Mineral acids (strong). 

(14) Alcohol. "] If prevented 

(15) Ether. [-from evaporat- 

(16) Chloroform. J ing. 

(17) Carbolic acid. 

(18) Creosote. 
Iiritants. — All the above, as they dilate 

as vascular irritants. 



(19) 



(20) 
(21) 
(22) 
(23) 
(24) 
(25) 
(26) 

(27) 
(28) 

(29) 



All volatile oils, as oil of tur- 
pentine, and many substances 
containing them, as mustard, 
horse radish, etc. 

Senega. 

Chrysarobinum. 

Ipecacuanha. 

Capsicum. 

Mezereon. 

Croton oil. 

Camphor. 

Cantharides. 

Phosphorus. 

Warmth, however applied, 

but usually as a poultice, 
the vessels, are often spoken of 



Rubefacients are drugs which, when locally applied to the 
skin, cause it to become red because of the vascular dilatation 
induced. All the above drugs are rubefacients. 

Vesicants. — Many of these drugs are sufficiently powerful 
irritants to cause inflammation. If this goes no further than the 
exudation of plasma from the vessels, and this plasma collects 
under the epidermis to form vesicles, the drug causing the pro- 
duction of vesicles is said to be a vesicant; e.g., cantharides. 

Pustulants are such of the above drugs as are sufficiently 
powerful irritants to cause the inflammatory process to proceed to 
the passage of leucocytes through the walls of the capillaries. 
They collect in the vesicles, which consequently become pustules ; 
e.g. croton oil. 

Escharotics or caustics are the most powerful of all the 
above drugs. Their local application destroys the vitality of the 
part to which they are immediately applied, and sets up vascular 
dilatation of the surrounding area; e.g., strong nitric acid, zinc 
chloride, silver nitrate, and arsenous acid. 

Counter-irritants. — It has been shown by experiments on 
animals that when the vessels of the skin are dilated by the appli- 
cation of an irritant, those of the subjacent viscera are often 



DRUGS ACTING ON THE VESSELS. 55 

reflexly contracted. The same is probably true of man. An irri- 
tant is called a counter-irritant when it is applied to the skin with 
the object of altering the size of the vessels of the subjacent vis- 
cera. It is particularly to be remembered that the action is a 
reflex nervous one, and is in no way due to the withdrawal of 
blood into the dilated vessels of the skin. 

Drugs which, when locally applied to vessels, contract them ; 

These may act in two ways, either by contracting the muscular 
coat of the vessels, or by coagulating the albuminous fluids around 
them, the coagulum by its contraction constricting the vessels. 

Those which act on the muscular coat of the vessels : 

(i) Cold, however produced; hence (6) Alum. 

rapidly volatilizing substances (7) Hamamelis. 

as ether. (8) Ergot. 

(2) [Cocaine.] (9) [Hydrastis.] 

(3) Lead salts. (10) Acetanilid. 

(4) Dilute solutions of silver salts. ( 1 1 ) Antipyrin. 

(5) Dilute sulphuric acid. 

Ergot when in the circulation causes powerful contraction of the muscular 
coat of the arteries. It is not quite certain if this is due to the local action of 
the ergot circulating through the vessels, or to its central action on the vaso- 
motor centre. Ergot applied to the outside of the vessels has no action on 
them. All the above, except the last two, are used in medicine to contract 
vessels. The following have been shown by experiments in the laboratory to 
cause contraction of small arteries through which they circulate : 

Salts of copper, zinc, tin, pla'inum, barium, all cause powerful contraction. 

Salts of lithium, calcium, strontium, magnesium, cadmium, nickel, cobalt, 
and iron cause slight contraction. 

Acetanilid and antipyrin act on the muscular coat of small vessels as 
powerfully as ergot. 

Those ivhich coagulate the albuminous fluids around the vessels : 



(1) Tannic acid and all sub- 

stances containing it: e.g., 
gallnut, krameria, kino,haem- 
atoxylon, hamamelis, cinna- 
mon, eucalyptus gum, catechu, 
and probably bael fruit. 

(2) Lead salts. 



(3) Silver salts. 

(4) Zinc salts. 

(5) Copper salts. 

(6) Alum. 

(7) Ferric salts. 

(8) Bismuth salts to a slight ex- 

tent. 



56 



PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS. 



B. Drugs which act on the Vaso-motor Centres. 

Drugs which, by their action on the vaso-motor centres, dilate the vessels : 



(i) Nitroglycerin. 

(2) Amyl nitrite. 

(3) Sodium nitrite. 

(4) Spiritus TEtheris Nitrosi. 

(5) Belladonna. 

(6) Stramonium. 

(7) Hyoscyamus. 

(8) Alcohol. 

(9) Ether. 

(10) Chloroform. 



(n) Chloral. 

(12) Antimony and Potassium 

Tartrate. 

(13) Aconite. 

(14) Ipecacuanha. 

(15) Lobelia. 

(16) Tobacco. 

(17) Veratrine. 

(18) Hydrocyanic acid. 

(19) Opium (slightly). 



Some of the substances, which in small doses contract the vessels by cen- 
tral action, in large doses dilate them ; viz. digitalis and squill. 

Drugs which, by their action on vaso-motor centres, cause contraction of 

vessels : 



(6) Strychnine. 

(7) Lead salts (slightly). 

(8) Ammonia (slightly). 

(9) Ergot (probably). 



(1) Digitalis. 

(2) Strophanthus. 

(3) [Sparteine ] 

(4) Squill. 

(5) Hamamelis. 
Also, for a very short early period of their action, some substances whose 

main action is to dilate the vessels by their central action; viz., belladonna, stra- 
monium, hyoscyamus, alcohol, ether, chloroform, hydrocyanic acid and vera- 
trine. 

Astringents are drugs which diminish the size of the vessels, 
and thus decrease the amount of exudation from them. 

Styptics, or Haemostatics, are drugs which stop bleeding. 
They comprehend all astringents, especially cold, lead and 
copper salts, hamamelis, ergot, [hydrastis], tannic acid, and, above 
all, ferric salts, for they coagulate the blood which is flowing 
from the vessel, and the clot prevents further bleeding. Matico 
leaves, because of the numerous hairs on their under surface, favor 
coagulation of blood when locUly applied to a bleeding surface. 
Cobwebs act in the same way. 

Therapeutics. — Drugs which locally dilate vessels are con- 
tinually applied to stimulate sores to heal, and to promote absorp- 
tion of inflammatory products, as seen in the application of iodine 



DRUGS ACTING ON THE SKIN. 57 

over joints in certain forms of joint disease ; and as counter- 
irritants in many forms of disease of deep-seated organs, as in the 
application of a blister in pleurisy. Drugs which by their central 
action cause dilatation of all the vessels of the body are used in 
certain forms of heart disease, as in the use of amyl nitrite in 
angina pectoris ; and some suppose that the good they do is 
brought about by dilating the vessels, and so rendering the work 
of the heart easier. Drugs causing general vascular dilatation 
are also employed to cause dilatation of the vessels of the skin, 
with the object of thereby leading to an increase of perspiration 
and an increased radiation of heat. Alcohol, Spiritus ^Etheris 
Nitrosi, and Ipecacuanha, amongst others, are used in this way. 

The most important use of astringents is as styptics ; they are 
also used to check excessive discharges of all sorts, as in diarrhoea, 
leucorrhcea, etc., and in relaxed conditions of vessels, such as are 
often seen in pharyngitis. 

There is perhaps no better opportunity than this of mention- 
ing emollients and demulcents. 

Emollients are substances which soften and protect parts. 
The word is usually employed for substances applied to the skin. 

Common emollients are substances soaked in warm water, as hot fomenta- 
tions and poultices, fats of various sorts, as lard and lanolin (hydrous wool fat), 
non-irritating oils, as olive oil, spermaceti, petroleum, vaseline, etc. 

Demulcents are substances which protect and soothe parts. 
They are generally applied to mucous membranes, especially 
when unduly dry, and thus they are often used for the mouth. 

Instances of them are gelatin, isinglass, glycerin, gum, honey, flaxseed, 
starch and white of egg. 

Division V. — Drugs acting on the Skin. 
All those described in the last section act on the cutaneous 
vessels, but in addition we have — 

A. Diaphoretics, or drags which increase the amount of 

perspiration. These may do so either by stimulating the sweat 

centres in the spinal cord, the nerves proceeding from the centres 

to the glands, the terminations of the nerves in the gland, or the 

6 



58 PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS. 

glandular cells themselves; or dilatation of the cutaneous vessels 
may, by the increase in the amount of blood and the greater 
Avarmth, stimulate the glands and lead to an increase of sweat. 
It is difficult to tell whether drugs acting on the vessels do not 
also act on the other parts of the mechanism ; and it is also diffi- 
cult to decide whether a drug acts on the gland-cells or the ter- 
mination of the nerves, so we will consider diaphoretics under 
two headings, those which act centrally and those which act peri- 
pherally. These are differentiated by observing whether the drug 
acts after the spinal cord is destroyed, [or] on a part of the skin 
after the nerves going to it are cut. 

(a) Diaphoretics acting peripherally : Pilocarpine greatly increases the 
amount of sweat, acting in all probability on the nerve terminations in the 
gland-cells, but certainly not on the vessels. Local applications of warmth, 
and alcohol taken internally perhaps act in the same way in addition to their 
vascular action. 

(b) Diaphoretics acting centrally . 

(i) Nicotine. (5) Ipecacuanha. 

(2) Antimony salts. (6) Opium. 

(3) Ammonium acetate. (7) Camphor. 

(4) Ammonium citrate. 

(c) Diaphoretics whose mode of action is doubtful: Senega, cubeb, col- 
chicum, salicin, lobelia, arnica, potassium citrate and acetate. All these, 
except the last two, are very feeble. 

When a diaphoretic acts very powerfully it is called a Sudorific. 

B. Anhidrotics, or Antihidrotics, drugs which diminish 
the amount of perspiration. The part on which these act is de- 
termined in the same way as in the case of diaphoretics. 

(a) Anhidrotics acting peripherally : Atropine is very powerful ; it 
acts on the terminations of the nerves in the glands ; and byoscyamus and 
stramonium probably act in the same way. The local application of cold 
has a similar action. 

(/>) Anhidrotus the mode of action of which is doubtful : 

(1) Acids. (5) Picrotoxin. 

(2) Muscarine. (6) Zinc salts. 

(3) Nux vomica. (7) Salicylic acid. 

(4) Quinine. J 



ANHIDROTICS. 59 

Therapeutics. — Diaphoretics are used for three purposes : 
either to increase the amount of sweat because that of the urine is 
failing, and for this purpose pilocarpine is largely used ; or in the 
hope that poisons may be excreted by the sweat, hence the use 
of pilocarpine in uraemia ; or as mild antipyretics, in order to 
increase the loss of heat by increased evaporation ; for this pur- 
pose alcohol, ipecacuanha, ammonium acetate, and opium were 
formerly much employed, but of late years much more efficient 
antipyretics have been discovered. 

Anhidrotics are used either for general conditions, as phthisis, 
or for local conditions, as sweating of the feet ;' but they are not 
of great use in medicine. 

We do not know of any drugs which will alter the composi- 
tion of the sweat, except in so far as that certain drugs may be 
excreted in the sweat when taken internally ; such are iodine, 
potassium iodide, succinic, tartaric, and benzoic acids, the last in 
the form of hippuric acid. 

We have no knowledge of the effects of drugs on the seba- 
ceous secretion. 

Certain drugs, when taken internally in large doses, pro- 
duce a rash on the skin, possibly because in the course of their 
excretion through the skin they irritate it. Such are— 

(9) Quinine. 

(10) Salicylic acid.. 

(11) Arsenical salts. 

(12) Acetanilid. 

(13) Antipyrin. 

(14) Phenacetin. [skm. 

(15) Silver salts may discolor the 
(8) Opium. I (16) [Sulphonal.] 

[The following quite rarely produce an eruption: 

(1) Iron. (6) Digitalis. 

(2) Strychnine. (7) Sulphur. 

(3) Creosote. (8) Antimony. 

(4) Mercury. (9) Santonin. 

(5) Veratrum. (10) Cod Liver Oil.] 



(I) 

(2) 


Copaiba. 
Cubeb. 


(3) 


Bromides. 


(4) 


Iodides. 


(5) Turpentine. 


(6) 


Belladonna. 


(7) 


Chloral. 



6o 



PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS. 



Division VI. — Substances acting on the Urinary System. 
i. Drugs increasing the quantity of urine secreted. — These 
are called diuretics. The kidney is a double organ with two dis- 
tinct varieties of epithelium ; it is particularly well supplied with 
vessels and vaso-motor nerves, and is also profoundly under the 
influence of variations in the blood-pressure ; hence it is, with 
our present state of knowledge, impossible to say how many 
diuretics act, but the following table, modified from Brunton's 
work, shows the various ways in which they probably act, many 
in more ways than one : 

f { Increased car f Digitalis, 

diac action. \ Alcohol, 

Digitalis, 
Strophanthus, 



Raise 
arterial 
pressure 



Generally 



| General vascu- 
[ lar contraction j 
I 



Squill, 

[Sparteine,] 

Convallaria, 

Strychnine, 

Caffeine, 

[Erythrophlceum,] 

Cold to skin, 



f Act on vaso- f , . 

X ? same as above, 
motor centres ( 



' Contract effe- 
rent vessels 



Locally 
in kidney \ 



Dilate afferent 
vessels 



f Broom, 
\ Buchu, 

| T ., , Uva ursi, 

\ kid^V/ ° n J™*-' 
[ Rldney Turpentine, 

I Copaiba, 

I Cantharides, 

f Either act on { 

j vaso-motor] 

centresorlo- AlcohQl 

cally on re- | 

[ nal vessels ( 



Increase water excreted 



Act on secreting 
nerves or renal cells 



f Urea, 

| Caffeine, 

I [Theobromine So- 

dio-salicylate,] 
| [Calomel,] 
f [Colchicum,] 
| Liquor potassse 
I Potassium Acetate, 

| Increase water and solids ex- \ Potassium Citrate, 
creted Potassium Nitrate, 

| Sodium Citrate and 

I [ other salines. 



DRUGS WHICH RENDER THE URINE ALKALINE. 6 1 

Therapeutics. — Diuretics are used in cardiac and pulmon- 
ary diseases when, owing to the general vascular disturbance, the 
quantity of urine falls below the normal standard. Also, in dis- 
eases in which there is excess of fluid in certain parts of the body ; 
for example, pleuritic effusion and ascites, with the object of get- 
ting rid of as much fluid as possible by the kidneys. Lastly, in 
certain forms of kidney disease, although in these maladies it is 
always a question how far it is desirable to stimulate diseased or- 
gans. It is of great importance to remember that diuretics may 
act in many different ways ; that there are many causes for dimi- 
nution in the quantity of urine secreted, and that it is difficult to 
say in any particular case what is the cause of the decrease in the 
quantity secreted. Therefore, it is usual to give diuretics in com- 
bination, in the hope that if one of them does not have the de- 
sired result another will 

2. Drugs diminishing the quantity of urine secreted — These are 
such as produce acute inflammation of the kidney when given in 
large doses ; e.g., turpentine, cantharides, phosphorus. They 
are never given for this purpose in medicine. Exalgin is re- 
puted to diminish the quantity of urine. 

3. Drugs rendering the urine acid. — There is only one drug 
that can do this effectually, and that is benzoic acid, for in its 
passage through the kidney it is converted into hippuric acid. 
Benzoic acid is, therefore, given when from any cause the urine 
undergoes alkaline decomposition anywhere within the urinary 
passages. Salicylic acid will, to a slight extent, increase the 
acidity of the urine, as will very large doses of citric acid, tartaric 
acid, citrates and tartrates, [and possibly saccharin]. 

4. Drugs which render the urine alkaline. — All salts of the 
metals, potassium, sodium, lithium, calcium, will do 
this ; even the tartrates, citrates, and acetates, for they escape by 
the kidney as carbonates. Nitric acid is said to increase the 
amount of ammonia in the urine, and thus to render it slightly 
alkaline. Ammonium salts given internally do not render the 
urine alkaline, because they are decomposed in the body, urea 
probably being formed. 



62 PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS. 

Lithontriptics are drugs which prevent the decomposition, 
in the urinary passages, of the solids of the urine. If this fluid be 
acid, uric acid often crystallizes out, forming gravel or uric acid 
calculus ; less often lime oxalate crystallizes, giving rise to lime 
oxalate calculus. When there is any likelihood of the formation 
of either of these calculi alkalies should be given, especially the 
lithium salts. If the urine is undergoing alkaline decomposition 
phosphates are liable to crystallize out. In this case the object 
will be to render the urine acid and aseptic. This will be at- 
tained by giving benzoic acid or benzoates, salicylic acid or sali- 
cylates, and the urinary antiseptics. 

Therapeutics. — The chief use of alkalies is to diminish the 
acidity of the urine, so as to render the precipitation of uric acid 
unlikely ; or to render it alkaline, so as to attempt to dissolve a 
uric acid calculus. We know of no drug which will dissolve a 
lime oxalate calculus. Alkalies are also given to gouty subjects, 
partly to alkalize the blood, but also partly to alkalize the urines, 
for such persons are very prone to deposit uric acid in the urine. 
Potassium urate is much more soluble than sodium urate, and 
lithium urate is even more soluble ; citrates and acetates are not 
likely to upset the digestion, consequently the drugs most used 
are the potassium and lithium citrates. Copious draughts of 
water, by diluting the urine, aid in preventing the deposition of 
uric acid or lime calculi oxalate. Natural alkaline waters are 
largely used, especially those containing lithium. 

5. Drugs preventing the urine from decomposing. — If the urine 
is retained in the bladder by stricture or from any other cause, it 
will undergo alkaline decomposition, and the same result may be 
brought about by the admixture of pus with the urine. This is 
generally due to inflammation of the pelvis of the kidney or the 
bladder. This decomposition of the urine may be prevented by 
giving drugs which in their excretion by the urine render it asep- 
tic. Such are — 

(1) Benzoic acid. (5) Cubeb. 

(2) Salicylic acid. (6) Oil of Sandalwood. 

(3) Uva Ursi. (7) [Saccharin.] 

(4) Copaiba. (8) Many volatile oils. 



DRUGS ACTING ON THE BLADDER AND URETHRA 63 

6. Drugs altering the composition of the urine. — Almost any 
drug will do this, either because it is excreted in the urine, or 
because it sets up some changes in the body, the products of which 
are excreted in the urine; but here we shall only refer to certain 
striking ones. 

Turpentine, cantharides and salicylic acid in large doses will cause blood 
to appear in the urine, because they set up inflammation of the kidney. 

Potassium chlorate, amyl nitrite, acetanilid, pyrogallic acid, poisoning 
by the mushroom, Helvetia escutenta, and transfusion of animal's blood, break 
up red blood-corpuscles, and the products are excreted by the urine, rendering 
it dark. Large doses of minei-al acids, arsenic, naphtol and naphtalin are 
said occasionally to produce the same result. 

Phosphorus in large doses causes leucin and tyrosin to appear in the 
urine, and the urea is greatly increased. 

The saline diuretics increase the solids of the urine. 

The chrysophanic acid in rhubarb and senna makes the urine, if it is acid, 
a brownish color; if it is alkaline, a purplish red. Logwood renders alkaline 
urine reddish or violet. Santonin colors acid urine yellow or greenish-yellow, 
and alkaline urine reddish. Carbolic acid, naphtalin, creosote and other pre- 
parations of tar, as well as the arbutin in uva ursi, chimaphila and gaultheria, 
make it dark greenish-brown. Picric acid makes it a bright-yellow, and 
methyl violet a dark-blue. The urine of persons poisoned with carbon dioxide 
remains sweet for months. 

Poisoning by carbon dioxide, curare, amyl nitrite and turpentine, and 
sometimes mercury, morphine, chloral, prussic acid, sulphuric acid, alcohol, 
lead compounds, and salicylic acid lead to the appearance in the urine of a 
body which like sugar reduces Fehling's copper solution. Some authorities 
state that the urine, after the administration of these drugs, does not contain 
glucose, but glycuronic acid ; for although it reduces blue copper solutions, it 
does not undergo alcoholic fermentation on the addition of yeast. The admin- 
istration of phloridzin, or phlorizin (glucoside from the bark of stem and root ot 
the apple, pear, plum and cherry, which when continuously heated with dilute 
mineral acids is resolved into glucose and phloretin), appears to lead to the 
production of genuine glucose in the urine. 

Other drugs cause a peculiar odor in the urine; for example, the smell of 
violets is produced by turpentine. The aromatic odor of cubeb and copaiba 
can be detected in the urine after the administration of these bodies. 

Lead, if taken for long periods, produces chronic interstitial inflammation 
of the kidney. It is stated that rarely mercury will do the same. 

7, Drugs acting on the bladder and urethra. — The only ones 
of any practical value are sedatives to the urinary tract. 



64 PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS. 

If the urine is decomposing, drugs preventing its decomposition come 
under this head. Other sedatives are opium, belladonna, hyoscyamus, 
pareira, buchu and uva ursi, which are direct sedatives to the vesical and 
urethral mucous membrane. If the urine is excessively acid, alkalies are 
urinary sedatives. 

Urinary sedatives are used very largely in cases of cystitis and urethritis, 
whatever the cause may be. Local astringent and antiseptic injections are 
also employed. 

Division VII. — Drugs acting on the Bodily Heat. 

A. Antipyretics, or Drugs which decrease the Bodily 
Temperature. — There are few if any drugs which can lower the 
temperature in health. Some, it is true, will cause the tempera- 
ture to fall below normal if given to a healthy man in large 
enough doses to induce severe collapse. The word antipyretic is 
limited to those drugs which bring down the temperature when it 
is raised owing to disease. We know that the greatest amount ot 
heat is produced in the muscles, and that there is a special part 
of the corpus striatum presiding over this production ; that 
heat is lost mostly by radiation from the vessels of the skin and 
by the evaporation of sweat, and that these vessels and the sudo- 
riparous glands are under the control of the central nervous sys- 
tem. Heat is also lost by excretion through the lungs, skin, 
bowels and bladder. It is highly probable that there is a part of 
the cerebrum whose function is to maintain the balance between 
the production and the loss. Also, all parts of this complex 
mechanism are supplied with blood-vessels, alterations in the 
calibre of which must affect the activity of the parts they supply. 

There is every reason for believing that the part of the central 
nervous system which presides over the loss of heat (thermolysis), 
that which presides over the production of heat (thermogenesis), 
and that which presides over the balance between the production 
and the loss (thermotaxis), can, each of them, be influenced by 
afferent impulses reaching them from various parts of the body, 
and thus we see each of these three functions can probably be 
rerlexly affected (see diagram on next page). 

Antipyretics which increase the loss of heat. — All sudorifics 



ANTIPYRETICS. 



65 



and all dilators of the cutaneous vessels act as antipyretics. Cold, 
such as a cold bath, increases the loss of heat by direct ab- 
straction. 




Drugs which probably diminish the production of heat. — Our 
knowledge about these is at present uncertain, but it is very 
probable that phenacetin, antipyrin, and acetanilid dimin- 



66 PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS. 

ish the production by their action on the corpus striatum ; and 
that quinine, salicylic acid, salicin, and thallin also 
diminish the production ; but we do not know upon what part of 
the thermogenetic apparatus they act. A cold bath not only 
abstracts heat, but, after it has been in operation some little time, 
diminishes the production. 

Antimony, aconite, and digitalis are probably antipyretic through their 
effect on the circulation, but precisely how they act is not known. Sometimes 
the removal of some irritation which is acting refiexly may lower the tempera- 
ture. In this way, purgatives are occasionally antipyretics. 

Therapeutics. — The sole use of antipyretics is to lower the 
temperature in fever. 

Drugs which increase the loss of heat were formerly popular 
as antipyretics, especially alcohol, spirit of nitrous ether, anti- 
mony, ipecacuanha, and opium, but now they are not much used. 
Cold is more often employed, either by cold sponging, ice, or a 
cold bath. Sponging with hot water will, by the vascular dilata- 
tion and subsequent sweating it induces, reduce a febrile tem- 
perature. 

Of the drugs which probably alter the production, thallin is 
dangerous because of the collapse it may produce ; quinine and 
salicylic acid are rather uncertain, except in ague and rheumatic 
fever respectively. Acetanilid, antipyrin and phenacetin are 
most in demand. They are certain antipyretics, and they give 
rise to less fear of collapse than the others. Acetanilid is prob- 
ably safer than antipyrin. Phenacetin is very safe, but it is not 
so powerful. They are quickly absorbed, and so they act 
promptly ; they are far more powerful antipyretics than any drugs 
which act by increasing the loss of heat, and these are very un- 
certain in their action, often not lowering the temperature at all. 
Another reason for preferring drugs which diminish thermo- 
genesis is that it is much more rational to lower the temperature 
by decreasing the production of heat than by increasing the 
loss, for then the production will, if anything, go on faster than 
before, in consequence of the attempt to compensate for the 
increased loss. 



DRUGS ACTING ON RESPIRATION. 6j 

Di'iigs which cause a rise of te7?iperature. — Belladonna in 
poisonous doses may do this. How it acts is not known. 

Various albumoses and certain animal poisons, such as that of shell fish, 
will cause a rise of temperature. Their mode of action is unknown. 

We know of no drugs acting on thermotaxis. 

Division VIII. — Drugs acting on Respiration. 

Respiration can be modified by such very various influences 
that it is difficult to decide upon the exact mode of action of any 
drug which affects it. For example, alterations in the blood and 
in the air will modify it ; the respiratory centre itself may be in- 
fluenced, either directly or reflexly, from almost any organ in the 
body; or, again, the movements of the respiratory muscles them- 
selves may be interfered with ; and, lastly, respiration is much 
under the influence of the circulatory apparatus. Furthermore, 
the chief object in medicine is to remove the cause of the respir- 
atory difficulty rather than to act upon respiration itself. 

We have already spoken of those drugs which produce changes 
in the blood and the circulation, and the consideration of those 
modifications of the temperature, moisture, and pressure of the 
air which are of value in medicine, belongs to a book on general 
therapeutics. We will, therefore, now consider the respiratory 
drugs under the following heads : 

A. Drugs altering the Composition of the Air in- 
haled. — It is found convenient to administer some drugs, 
although they are not given for their influence on respiration, by 
making the patient inhale them ; such are anaesthetics and amyl 
nitrite. 

Some drugs when inhaled are particularly irritating to the 
bronchial mucous membrane, causing dilatation of the vessels, 
increased secretion, and reflexly, cough from the stimulation of 
the sensory nerves of the bronchial mucous membrane. 

Such are cold dry air, iodine, bromine, chlorine, senega, ipecacuanha, 
sulphurous anhydride, nitric acid fumes, ammonia, and tobacco. These are 
rarely used therapeutically as inhalations, and their inhalation is to be particu- 
larly avoided in irritable conditions of the bronchi. 



68 PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS. 

The drugs which, when inhaled, are soothing to the bron- 
chial mucous membrane are — 

Hydrocyanic acid. Conium. 

Inhalations which are used to stimulate the bronchi, that 
is to say, to increase their vascularity, secretion, and muscular 
power, are — 



Carbolic acid, 1 YT1 20 Tinctura benzoini 

Oil of cajeput, / composita, 

Oleum pini sylvestris, flgss. Creosote, 

Oil of cubeb, 



3 SS - 



The amounts given after each are the quantities that should be added to a 
pint of water at 140 F. 

Inhalations which are used to disinfect foul secretions 
from the bronchial mucous membrane are those of — 

(i) Creosote. 1 (5) Sulphurous anhydride. 

(2) Iodoform. (6) Oil of juniper. 

(3) Mild solution of benzoin. (7) Oil of cubeb. 

(4) Carbolic acid. (8) [Oil of eucalyptus.] 

Inhalations for relieving spasm of the bronchial tubes are 
those of — 

(1) Conium. 1 (4) Ether. 

(2) Stramonium. (5) Amyl nitrite. 

(3) Chloroform. 

B. Drugs acting on the Respiratory Centre. — If the 

drug, when injected into the carotid artery, very quickly pro- 
duces its effect on respiration, it is concluded that it acts on the. 
respiratory centre. Another experiment, often used to determine 
whether the drug acts on the centre, or on the vagal terminations 
in the lung, is to cut the vagi and to observe whether it acts sim- 
ilarly before and after the section. 

Drugs which directly stimulate the respiratory centre are — 

(1) Strychnine. (4) Belladonna. 

(2 J Ammonia (very powerful). (5) Stramonium. 

(3) Apomorphine. (6) Hyoscyamus. 



DRUGS ACTING ON RESPIRATION. 69 

Drugs which depress the respiratory centre are — 

(1) Physostigmine (very pow- (8) Aconite. 

erful). (9) Veratrine. 

(2) Chloral. (10) Conium. 

(3) Chloroform. (11) Caffeine. 

(4) Ether. (12) Quinine. 

(5) Alcohol. (13) Ipecacuanha. 

(6) Opium. (14) Antimony salts (both the 

(7) Hydrocyanic acid. last very weak). 
Alcohol, ether, chloroform, caffeine, and quinine slightly excite before 

they depress. 

Therapeutics. — The drugs which excite the respiratory 
centre may be used when there is any difficulty in respiration, 
especially with the view of increasing the force of the respiratory 
act whilst other means are employed to get rid of the cause of the 
difficulty. They are, of course, most frequently required in dis- 
eases of the lungs, especially bronchitis. Ammonia and apomor- 
phine are often employed, as they are also powerful expectorants ; 
and belladonna is useful when there is too much secretion from 
the bronchial tubes. 

Substances which depress the respiratory centre are very little 
needed for this action ; but the centre for the reflex act of cough- 
ing is in the close neighborhood of the respiratory centre, and 
opium, hydrocyanic acid, conium, and ipecacuanha are 
often very valuable in allaying the continual hacking cough which 
so frequently accompanies disease of the heart and lungs. 

The drugs which relieve cough are very numerous, for it may 
be reflexly set up by irritation of so many peripheral parts, viz., 
nose, throat, pharynx, ear, teeth, larynx, trachea, bronchi, lungs, 
pleura, stomachy and liver; and consequently its removal may 
depend upon the removal of peripheral irritation in any of these 
organs. 

C. Drugs affecting the Bronchial Secretion. 

(a) Those increasing it : 

(1) [Apomorphine.] (3) [Cocillana.] 

(2) All alkalies, especially am- (4) Ipecacuanha. 

monium carbonate and (5) Senega, 

other salts. (6) Squill. 



yO PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS. 



(7) Turpentine. 

(8) Camphor. 

(9) Benzoin. 

(10) Balsam of Peru. 

(11) " " Tolu. 

(12) Antimony salts. 

(b) Those decreasing it : 
(1) Acids. (3) Stramonium. 



(13) Sulphur. 

(14) Iodine. 

(15) Tobacco. 

(16) Pilocarpus. 

(17) Many volatile oils. 



(2) Belladonna. (4) Hyoscyamus. 

(c) Those disinfecting it. — Drugs which, when inhaled, act in this way 
have already been mentioned. Copaiba, cubeb, and many volatile oils are 
excreted partly by the bronchial mucous membrane, and thus will disinfect the 
secretion. 

Therapeutics. — In bronchitis, remedies which increase the 
secretion are used when it is so viscid that it sticks to the tubes 
and cannot be coughed up ; and those which decrease it are em- 
ployed when it is too watery to be easily expectorated. The use 
of the disinfectants is obvious. 

D. Drugs relaxing Spasm of the Muscular Coat of 
the Bronchial Tubes, or Antispasmodics. — It is believed 
that [the symptom], asthma is due to a spasmodic contraction of 
the bronchial tubes, and as — 

(i) Stramonium, (4) Grindelia, 

(2) Belladonna, (5) [Aspidosperma,] 

(3) Hyoscyamus, 

relieve this symptom, it is concluded that these drugs relax spasm 
of the muscular coat of the bronchial tubes. Stramonium is the 
most powerful. It is very likely, judging by their analogous 
action in other parts of the body, that the following drugs act in 
the same way : 

Chloroform, ether, opium, chloral, cannabis indica, amyl nitrite, and 
conium. 

Therapeutics. — Stramonium is of great use in asthma, and 
this and the other drugs may be employed for cases of bronchitis 
in which it is probable that the irritation caused by the inflam- 
mation of the tubes sets up spasm of them. Many of these mus- 



EXPECTORANTS. J 1 

cular depressants in all probability depress the nerves at the same 
time. 

E. Drugs acting on the Vessels of the Bronchi. — 

These are the same as have been already described as acting on 
the vascular system generally. 

F.. Expectorants. — The modes of action of drugs acting 
on the respiratory system are so complex that it is usual to regard 
most of them clinically, simply as drugs which hinder or aid the 
expectoration of the contents of the bronchial tubes. Those 
which aid it are divided into two groups, named after their action, 
not on the lungs, but on the circulation. 

1. Stimulating expectorants. — These are stimulants to the circulation gen- 
erally. They are— 

(i) Acids. (8) Balsam of Tolu. 

(2) Ammonium sails. (9) " " Peru. 

(3) [Cocillana.] (10) Turpentine preparations. 

(4) Senega. (11) Terebene. 

(5) Squill. (12) Oleum Pini Sylvestris. 

(6) Benzoin. (13) Nux vomica. 

(7) Benzoic acid. (14) Sulphur. 

2. Depressing expectorants. — These depress the general circulation. 
They are — 

(1) Alkalies. (5) Pilocarpus. 

(2) Antimony salts. (6) Apomorphine. 

(3) Ipecacuanha. (7) Potassium Iodide. 

(4) Lobelia. 

Therapeutics. — It is almost impossible to lay down any 
general directions. The prescriber must consider in any case be- 
fore him whether he wishes to stimulate or to depress the circula- 
tion, to increase or to diminish or to disinfect the expectoration, 
to stimulate the respiratory centre, to overcome spasm of the 
bronchial tubes, or to allay a hacking cough ; and he must com- 
bine his remedies according to the answer he makes to these ques- 
tions. Warmth to the chest and warm drinks are sedative, and 
increase the amount of secretion. Cold and cold drinks have an 
opposite effect. 



J2 PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS. 

Division IX. — Drugs acting on the Digestive Apparatus. 

A. Drugs acting on the Teeth. — Soaps and powders are 
used for cleaning the teeth. The basis of most tooth powders is 
chalk, which acts mechanically ; charcoal is sometimes used in 
the same way. As the food is very liable to collect and decom- 
pose between the teeth, antiseptics, as quinine, borax, and car- 
bolic acid, are often mixed with tooth powders. Astringents, 
such as krameria are employed if the gums are too vascular. 
Mineral acids and alum are injurious to the teeth if used for a 
long time, and iron is liable to stain them ; therefore these sub- 
stances are best taken through a glass tube, and should not be 
used as gargles for long periods. 

Toothache may be relieved by local anodynes, as opium, 
creosote, or pure carbolic acid. The tooth is plugged with 
absorbent cotton soaked in one of these. A piece of clean cot- 
ton must be placed over the carbolized cotton to prevent the car- 
bolic acid from reaching the mouth. 

B. Drugs acting on the Salivary Gland. — Much at- 
tention has been devoted to the submaxillary gland of the dog, 
and there is no reason for supposing that the other salivary glands 
of that animal or of other creatures differ markedly from it. We 
know that the submaxillary gland is under the influence of the 
chorda tympani nerve, which contains vaso-dilator fibres, and also 
some which directly modify the secretion of the gland apart from 
the secondary effects, due to the alterations in the vessels, obtained 
when the chorda tympani is stimulated. This nerve has its cen- 
tre in the medulla, and is capable of being excited reflexly by 
stimulation of many nerves, even the sciatic, but especially by 
stimulation of the gastric branches of the vagus, and by the ter- 
minations in the tongue and mouth of the glossopharyngeal and 
gustatory nerves. The gland is also supplied with sympathetic 
branches which proceed from the cervical sympathetic trunk ; 
these are vaso-constrictor, and can also modify the quality of the 
secretion ; but we do not know so much about them as we do about 
the chorda tympani. Drugs which increase the amount of saliva 
have been called sialogogues; .those which decrease it, anti-sial- 



SIALOGOGUES. 73 

ogogues. It is clear that there are very many ways in which each 
of these might act, but here it will suffice to enumerate only those 
ways in which they are known to act. 

i. Sialogogues acting either on the secretory cells or upon the 
terminations of the nerves in them. — Of these pilocarpus has been 
most studied, and by means of the experiments it has been proved 
to act either on the cells themselves or the terminations of the 
nerves in them. It acts equally well after section of all the 
nerves going to the gland. It acts when it is injected directly 
into the gland, but is prevented from reaching the general cir- 
culation. If it has been given, stimulation of the chorda or of the 
sympathetic produces no more effect on the amount of secretion 
than can be easily explained by the vascular effects. 

Sialogogues falling under this heading are — 

(i) Pilocarpus. (4) Mercury. 

(2) Muscarine. (5) Tobacco. 

(3) Compounds of Iodine. (6) Physostigmine. 

The last two probably act also by stimulating the centre in the medulla, 
for section of the chorda tympani decidedly lessens the secretion caused by 
them. Physostigmine soon ceases to cause an increase of the secretion, for it 
tightly contracts the vessels of the gland. 

2. Sialogogues acting reflexly by stimulating the peripheral ends 
of afferent nerves. — Of these there are two important varieties : 

(a) Those stimulating the gustatory and glosso-pharyngeal nerves in the 
mouth : 

(1) All Acids and (5) Ether. 

(2) Acid Salts. (6) All pungent substances, as 

(3) Chloroform. mustard, ginger, &c. 

(4) Alcohol. 

(b) Those stimulating the vagus in the stomach : 

Most emetics, especially Antimony and Ipecacuanha. 

3 . A nti-sialogogues acting either on the secreting cells or the 
terminations of the nerves in them. — Of these atropine has been 
most studied, and it is proved to act directly on the gland by the 
fact that the administration of it prevents any increase of salivary 

7 



74 PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS. 

secretion on stimulation of the chorda, although the vessels dilate 
as usual. It is highly probable that it acts upon the nerve ter- 
minations, because even after considerable doses, quite paralyzing 
the secretion of chorda tympani saliva, stimulation of the sympa- 
thetic will still induce secretion. 

Anti-sialogogues falling under this heading are — 

(i) Belladonna. (2) Stramonium, and 

(2) Hyoscyamus. (4) Nicotine in excess. 

4. Anti-sialogogues acting reflexly by depressing the peripheral 
ends of afferent nerves. — Alkalies, opium, and any substances 
which allay irritation of the mouth. Part of the effect of opium 
is due to its depressing action on the medullary centre. 

Therapeutics. — A deficiency in the amount of saliva se- 
creted is seen most markedly in fever, when the mouth becomes 
very dry, and the patient complains of thirst. Sometimes it is a 
disease in itself, and the origin of this malady is then probably 
nervous. It is a prominent symptom of belladonna poisoning. 
In fever, acid drinks, especially those containing carbon dioxide 
gas, lemonade, etc., are of use as sialogogues. Drinks which 
relieve this febrile thirst are called Refrigerants. For [the con- 
dition known as] " dry mouth" pilocarpus has been used, and it 
will relieve the dryness due to belladonna poisoning. Excessive 
salivary secretion is hardly met with except as a symptom of poi- 
soning, especially by mercury or pi locarpus. In some forms of 
indigestion the saliva has a very unpleasant taste, and may even 
be diminished in quantity, but then the indication is to treat the 
indigestion. 

C. Drugs acting on the Stomach. — Strictly speaking, 
we ought to consider these under the following heads : (a). Those 
drugs which, either by modifying the secretion of pepsin, or in 
some other way directly influence the conversion of proteids into 
peptone, parapeptone and albumose. (b). Those which influence 
the property possessed by the gastric juice of curdling milk. 
(c). Those which modify the secretion of acid. (d). Those 
which modify the secretion of mucus. («?). Those which influ- 



STOMACHICS. 75 

ence the nerves of the stomach. (/). Those which act on the 
vessels, (g). Lastly, those which are emetics. Our knowledge, 
however is not sufficient to enable us to do this, and the most 
useful classification is into those affecting the secretion of gastric 
juice as a whole, the secreted contents, the vessels, the nerves, the 
movements, and emetics. 

i. Drugs increasing the amount of gastric juice secreted. — 
These are usually called stomachics, and include a great many 
substances. Stimulants to the mouth reflexly increase the secre- 
tion of gastric juice ; all bitter and aromatic substances act in this 
way, and they also increase the appetite. The mere presence of 
food in the stomach stimulates the gastric flow. Probably aro- 
matics and bitters act also on the stomach itself. 

The drugs which increase the flow of gastric juice are — 
(i) Aromatics. (5) Ether. 

(2) Bitters. (6) Chloroform. 

(3) All alkalies (especially potas- (7) Magnesia. 

sium and sodium bicarbon- (8) Magnesium carbonate. 

ates, and Spiritus Ammonise (9) Pungent substances (pep- 
Aromaticus). per, mustard, horseradish). 

(4) Alcohol. 

Therapeutics. — Stomachics are very largely used for the 
purpose of increasing the secretion of gastric juice in cases of 
dyspepsia. 

2. Drugs decreasing the amount of gastric juice secreted. 

(1) Mineral acids. (3) Many of those in the last list if 

(2) Acetic acid. given in large doses, e.g., alco- 

hol, ether, chloroform, 

Therapeutics. — These drugs are never employed for this 
effect. It is particularly to be observed that while alkalies in- 
crease the secretion of the gastric juice, which is acid, they 
diminish that of the saliva, which is alkaline ; but acids increase 
the secretion of the alkaline saliva, but diminish that of the acid 
gastric juice. 

3. Drugs altering the composition of the gastric contents. — 
Acids and alkalies naturally modify the reaction of the gastric 



26 PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS. 

contents. For this purpose dilute mineral acids are often pre- 
scribed to be taken about two hours after a meal, in cases in 
which the cause of indigestion is thought to be that the amount of 
hydrochloric acid secreted is deficient. If the acid were given at 
meal-time it would prevent the secretion of the natural acid ; but 
by giving it after the meal, when all the acid that the gastric juice 
is capable of forming has been secreted, the drug v carries on the 
act of digestion. In case of indigestion in which, from the nature 
of vomited matters or from any other reason, it is considered that 
there is an excess of acid in the stomach, alkalies are given at 
meal-times, the favorite drug being sodium bicarbonate. 

Pepsin is given, usually in combination with dilute hydro- 
chloric acid, when it is probable that the cause of the indigestion 
is the secretion of too small an amount of pepsin ; but in this, as 
in every other variety of dyspepsia, it is far more important to 
remove the cause of indigestion than to endeavor to modify the 
composition of the secreted gastric juice. 

Many attempts have been made to try by the administration 
of antiseptics to prevent fermentation and putrefaction from 
going on in the stomach, but with only fair success, for a suffi- 
cient dose of any antiseptic is likely to be poisonous to the patient, 
and too large doses of antiseptics may hinder normal digestion. 

Here even more than in the last case the right treatment is to 
remove the cause of the putrefaction. 

Drugs that have been used for this purpose are — 



(8) [Salicin.] 

(9) [Bismuth salicylate] 

(10) Sodium hyposulphite. 

(11) Sodium sulpho-carbol 
ate. 

(12) Sulphurous anhydride. 

(13) Naphtol. 

Charcoal has been employed, but when it is moist it is useless. 

4. Drugs which dilate the vessels of the stomach. — The vessels 
of the stomach are very sensitive to irritation. They easily dilate 
upon mechanical irritation, and the presence of food, especially 



(1) Carbolic acid. 

(2) Iodoform. 

(3) Boric acid. 

(4) Creosote. 

(5) Eucalyptus. 

(6) Thymol. 

(7) [Resorcin.] 



GASTROINTESTINAL IRRITANTS. J'J 

peptones, causes the vascularity of the mucous membrane to in- 
crease. Within limits greater vascularity is an advantage, for it 
not only favors the secretion of gastric juice, but it facilitates 
absorption. 

The substances which increase the vascularity of the stomach 
are all stomachics (except alkalies), dilute mineral acids, the 
drugs which have already been enumerated as irritants generally, 
and squill digitalis, colchicum, senega, copaiba, gamboge, gua- 
iacum, and veratrine. This is a very long list, and many of the 
substances in it are never employed for their irritant effect ; in 
fact, the only ones in common use are the stomachics; the others 
are far too powerful, even small doses of them set up inflammation 
of the gastric wall, which is also produced by over-indulgence in 
stomachics, as we constantly see in the gastritis induced by alco- 
hol. The therapeutic indications for this class of drugs are the 
same as those for stomachics generally. 

Gastro-intesti?ial iiTitants. — In describing the individual ac- 
tions of drugs the statement is frequently made that they are 
gastro-intestinal irritants, and that is a convenient opportunity 
for describing the symptoms produced in health by these drugs. 
If the drug has a caustic action, as many gastro-intestinal irritants 
have, the swallowing of it will cause considerable pain in the 
mouth and pharynx ; in a short time these parts will become 
severely inflamed, and consequently very much reddened, swollen 
and painful. The tongue will be often much enlarged. If the 
drug is corrosive, sloughs, generally white in color at first, with 
a severely inflamed area around them, will be seen ; as they fall 
off they will leave ulcers. Owing to the pain and swelling, it 
will for some time be impossible to take any food, or at the best 
only that of a soft or fluid nature. Directly [after] the drug 
reaches the stomach, intense irritation is set up ; consequently 
the patient feels severe abdominal pain, and there is violent 
retching and vomiting. As the poison passes on, it produces its 
severe irritant effects on the intestine, and diarrhoea sets in. Both 
the vomited matters and the motions often contain blood. The 
general symptoms are an anxious countenance, small feeble pulse, 



yS PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS. 

scanty urine, a low temperature, and all the symptoms of collapse. 
Later on, the gastro- intestinal irritation may be severe enough to 
set up general peritonitis, or a gastric ulcer may form, and then 
there may be added to the case all the symptoms of gastric ulcer 
and its sequelae. The inflammation of the oesophagus may lead 
to its contraction. At the post-mortem examination, if the pa- 
tient has died soon after the administration of the poison, the 
stomach will be very red and ecchymosed, with a swollen mucous 
membrane. Parts of the intestine will be in the same condition. 
This severe inflammation may, in many places, have led to the 
formation of sloughs. It must be remembered that many gastro- 
intestinal irritants have no action on the mouth. 

5. Drugs which contract the gastric vessels. — These are the 
same as those which have already been enumerated as being 
generally astringent. They are much more used for the intestine 
than the stomach, and will therefore be considered in detail 
presently (p. 86). 

6. Drugs acting on the nerves of the stomach. — All drugs 
powerfully irritant to the stomach cause pain in it; those that are 
only slightly irritant give rise to a sensation of warmth. It is 
never desired to produce gastric pain. 

Gastric sedatives. — These drugs are the same as those which 
are local sedatives to other parts of the body. Those most used 
for the stomach are — 



(1) Bismuth subcarbonate. 


(6) Ice. 


(2) Bismuth subnitrate. 


(7) Belladonna. 


(3) Opium. 


(S) Hyoscyamus 


(4) Hydrocyanic acid. 


(9) Stramonium. 


(5) Carbon dioxide. 





They are employed in the very many painful forms of dyspep- 
sia. All, except perhaps stramonium, are in frequent use. 

7. Drugs acting 011 the movements of the stomach. — It has been 
observed that the movements of the stomach increase as the acidity 
of the contents increases. If it be that the acidity is the cause of 
the movements, anything which causes an increase of acidity will 
lead to more powerful movements. Apart from this, strychnine ap- 



(5) Asafoetida. 

(6) Ammoniacum. 

(7) Valerian, and 



CARMINATIVES. 79 

pears directly to stimulate the unstriped muscle of the gastric wall. 
Stomachics also probably aid the movements, so that our com- 
plete list will be mineral acids, nux vomica, and the stomachics. 
The proper churning up of the gastric contents is so necessary, 
that the value in dyspepsia, of drugs which aid the gastric move- 
ments, is very great. Hence the frequency with which nux vomica 
enters into anti-dyspeptic acid mixtures. 

Carminatives. — This term is often applied to substances which 
aid the expulsion of gas from the stomach and intestines. They 
act by stimulating the gastric and intestinal movements. It has 
been found from clinical observation that the most efficient car- 
minatives are — 

(i) Stomachics generally, espe- 
cially — 

(2) Aromatics. 

(3) Bitters. (8) Camphor. 
(4.) Pungent substances. I 

8. Emetics. — It is well known that the many complicated 
mechanisms involved in the act of vomiting are under the con- 
trol of a centre in the medulla, which is capable of being stimu- 
lated by afferent impulses reaching it from many sources, such as 
the cerebrum, as when sights or smells cause sickness, the mouth, 
the pharynx, the oesophagus, the lungs, the heart, the stomach, 
the intestines, the biliary passages, the kidney, the peritoneum, 
and the uterus ; so that the drugs acting on any of these organs, 
or on the centre itself, might be emetics. But it is usual, in de- 
scribing drugs which cause vomiting, to mention only those which 
do so either by acting on the stomach or on the centre in the 
medulla, and they are divided into two corresponding classes. 
Those acting on the stomach are sometimes called direct emetics, 
because they act directly on the stomach; and those influencing 
the medulla are called indirect; but some authors reserve the 
word direct for those acting on the medulla, and speak of those 
affecting the stomach as indirect. Considering this confusion, it 
is better to divide emetics into gastric and central. By means of 
the following experiments we determine to which group any drug 
belongs. 



SO PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS. 

(i) The emetic is injected directly into the circulation. If 
very shortly after this vomiting takes place, the drug must have 
acted on the medulla, to which it has been carried by the circu- 
lation; but if some time elapses we conclude it acted on the 
stomach, and that it was first excreted into this organ before 
vomiting took place. This experiment may be made still more 
striking by injecting directly into the carotid, for then the me- 
dulla is quickly reached. 

(2) If the least quantity of the drug which, when injected 
into the circulation, will produce vomiting is larger than is neces- 
sary when it is introduced directly into the stomach, the infer- 
ence is that the drug acts primarily on the stomach, and that when 
it produces vomiting after injection into the circulation it only 
does so because some of it has been excreted into the stomach. 

(3) If the drug will not produce vomiting after injection into 
the circulation when the stomach is replaced by a bladder, it 
shows that it acted directly on the stomach ; but if vomiting is 
produced it shows that the drug acted on the medulla, and that 
the vomiting is caused by the contraction of the abdominal mus- 
cles. 

(4) If the drug takes a long while to act after its introduction 
into the stomach, it probably acts centrally; and the reason for 
the delay is that sufficient time must elapse for the drug to be 
absorbed. 

In spite of these experiments it is difficult to be sure about the 
action of emetics, for some act in both ways, and some may in 
the course of their circulation through the blood act upon some 
of the many parts of the body from which the vomiting centre 
receives afferent impulses. 

The following is a list of those emetics which are commonly used. 
Kinetics acting on the stomach ; 
(i) Alum. (5) Sodium chloride. 

(2) Ammonium carbonate. (6) Mustard. 

(3) Copper sulphate. (7) Warm water. 

(4) Zinc sulphate. 

Of these zinc sulphate and copper sulphate act slightly on the medulla. 



EMETICS. 8 1 

Emetics acting on the medullary centre ; 

(i) Apomorphine. (4) Senega. 

(2) Tartar emetic. (5) Squill. 

(3) Ipecacuanha. 

Of these tartar emetic and ipecacuanha act partly on the stomach. The 
first three are very powerful emetics, and are much more depressant in their 
action than the gastric emetics. 

Therapeutics. — Emetics have two uses. Firstly, to remove 
the contents of the stomach. Thus when that organ is over-full, 
and there is a feeling of nausea, an emetic by emptying the 
stomach may relieve. Emetics are largely used to empty the 
stomach in cases of poisoning, and they may benefit certain cases 
of sick headache. An emetic occasionally aids the expulsion of 
a foreign body which has become impacted in the fauces or 
oesophagus. Secondly, emetics are used to expel the contents of 
the air-passages, especially in children, for they cannot expec- 
torate well. For this purpose these drugs are given to help chil- 
dren to expel the morbid products in bronchitis, laryngitis, and 
diphtheria. They also aid the expulsion of foreign bodies that 
have become impacted in the larynx. In choosing an emetic it 
will be remembered that although apomorphine, ipecacuanha, 
and tartar emetic are the most powerful they are the most 
depressant, and are therefore not suitable in many cases — such, 
for instance, as poisoning accompanied by severe collapse. When 
the poison is a powerful gastro-intestinal irritant, if the condi- 
tion of the mouth and oesophagus will allow of it, it is preferable 
to wash out the stomach rather than to use an emetic. 

Emetics are not permissible for patients suffering from 
aneurism, hernia, prolapse of uterus or rectum, peritonitis, or a 
tendency to haemorrhage, because of the straining induced by 
the vomiting, which should make us cautious in giving them to 
those who have disease of their vessels or high tension in them, 
for the straining may lead to haemorrhage. 

9. Anti-emetics. — The causes of vomiting are so numerous that 
the number of drugs which may stop vomiting is very large; 
therefore, as in the case of emetics, we can only consider 
8 



82 PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS. 

those which act either on the stomach or on the centre in the 
medulla. 

Anti-emetics acting on the stomach. — These are all those sub- 
stances which have been already enumerated as having a seda- 
tive influence on the gastric nerves, viz. : 

(i) Ice, (2) Bismuth subcarbonate, (3) Bismuth subnitrate, (4) 
Opium, (5) Hydrocyanic acid, (6) Carbon dioxide. Also some drugs 
which occasionally appear to have a specific local action in arresting vomiting; 
such are (7) Cocaine, (8) Cerium oxalate, (9) [Menthol,] (10) minute 
doses of Vinum Ipecacuanhae, (11) of Tincture of iodine, (12) and of 
Arsenous acid, (13) small doses of each, of Alcohol, (14) Carbolic acid, 
(15) Chloroform, (16) Creosote, (17) Ether, (18) Silver nitrate, and (19) 
the Sulphocarbolates. 

Anti- emetics acting centrally — 

(1) Opium, (2) Ammonium, (3) Potassium, and (4) Sodium 
bromides. (5) Chloral. (6) Amyl nitrite. (7) Nitroglycerin. (8) Di- 
lute hydrocyanic acid. (9) Alcohol. It will be noticed that some drugs 
fall under both headings. 

Therapeutics. — The very name of these drugs indicates 
their therapeutical application. At the best they are only pallia- 
tive ; the right way to treat vomiting is, if possible, to remove 
the cause. Of anti-emetics, ice, dilute hydrocyanic acid, car- 
bon dioxide, bismuth salts, morphine, [menthol] and iodine are 
perhaps the most reliable, but all are very uncertain. 

D. Drugs acting on the Intestines.— Many secretions 
are poured into the intestine, the food is much altered by the 
time it arrives there, and it is changed in its course down the 
intestine; the physiology of intestinal digestion, of the move- 
ments and the nervous mechanisms of the intestine are imper- 
fectly known ; drugs may be considerably altered by the time 
they come to this part of the alimentary canal, and its diseases 
are little understood; consequently we cannot arrange the action 
of drugs in a physiological classification. We know, in fact, of 
only [three] divisions, purgatives, [antiseptics] and astringents. 

The methods of experiment which have been used to deter- 
mine the mode of action of purgatives are chiefly those of Thiry 
and Moreau. The first-named observer cut the intestine across 
in two places a short distance apart : the isolated part which was 



PURGATIVES. 83 

stili attached to the mesentery was sewn up at one end ; the other, 
the open end, was attached to the abdominal wall, and thus 
there was a test-tube-like piece of intestine into which drugs 
could be placed. The parts of intestine, on either side of the 
excised piece, were sewn together, so that the whole intestine was 
the same as before, but a little shorter. This method did not 
give very satisfactory results, and consequently Moreau devised 
his experiments, which seem more trustworthy. He put four liga- 
tures round the intestine at equal distances apart, so that he shut 
off from the rest of the intestine and from each other three pieces 
of intestine, each of the same length. With a fine syringe he in- 
jected into the middle piece the drug to be experimented upon, 
and returned the whole into the abdominal cavity. In a few 
hours the animal was killed, and the state of the interior of the 
middle piece was contrasted with that of the pieces either side of 
it. Before Moreau's experiments there had been much discussion 
as to whether some purgatives did not act only by increasing the 
action of the muscular coat, and others only by stimulating the 
secretions, but from these experiments it appears that probably 
the majority act in both ways, some very slightly on the secretion 
and powerfully on the muscle, and others slightly on the muscle 
and powerfully on the secretion. We will first consider intes- 
tinal purgatives, [then intestinal antiseptics] and [finally] intesti- 
nal astringents. 

Purgatives are divided into the following classes. 

Laxatives. — These are substances which slightly increase the 
action of the bowels chiefly by stimulating their muscular coat. 

They are — 



(1) Whole meal bread. 

(2) Honey. 

(3) Treacle. 

(4) Most fruits, especially- 

(5) Tamarind. 

(6) Fig. 

(7) Prune, and 

(8) Stewed apples. 

(9) Manna. 
(10) Cassia, 



(11) Sulphur. 

(12) Magnesia. 

(13) Olive oil. 

(14) Castor oil (small doses). 

(15) Ergot. -, No( used 

(16) Physostigma. e ( 

(17) Nux Vomica. , 

J, _~ .. , under 

(18) Belladonna. ,. . 
v ; medical 
(IQ) Hyoscyamus,and , 

\ ( « • ■ orders. 

(20) Stramonium. J 






84 PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS. 

These are all of them domestic remedies employed for slight 
cases of constipation, especially in children ; some, as brown 
bread, fruits, honey, form articles of diet with persons who are 
liable to constipation. Nux vomica is most valuable ; it is prob- 
ably a direct stimulant to the muscular coat, hardly influencing 
secretion. It is largely used in cases of chronic constipation, 
especially when occurring in anaemic persons, or in those in 
whom, for any reason, it is likely that the intestinal peristalsis is 
feeble. 

Belladonna in small doses increases peristaltic movements 
because it paralyzes the inhibitory fibres of the splanchnics, but 
in moderate doses it completely arrests peristaltic movements. 
It is chiefly employed for this latter purpose, especially in com- 
bination with opium. Hyoscyamus acts on the intestines in the 
same way, and small doses of it are often given with other purga- 
tives to prevent griping, for it gives an orderly rhythm to the 
irregular contractions which the stronger purgatives produce. 

Ergot and physostigma are hardly ever used for their laxative 
effect. 

Simple purgatives. — These are rather more poAverful in their 
action than laxatives. They stimulate peristalsis and also increase 
secretion. Some of the laxatives, as castor oil and magnesia, 
when given in large doses become simple purgatives. 

The simple purgatives are — 

(1) Aloes. 1 (4) [Rhamnus Purshiana]. 

(2) Rhubarb. (5) Senna. 

(3) Rhamnus Frangula. (6) Fel Bovis. 

These are all, except the last, in common use. The indications 
for each will be given under the individual drug. 

Drastic purgatives, often called cathartics. — These excite 
greatly increased secretion and peristaltic movements, and if 
given in large doses cause severe irritation of the intestine, with 
much secretion of mucus, great vascular dilatation, and even 
hemorrhage, severe abdominal pain and collapse, with profuse 
diarrhoea. The peristaltic contractions are often irregular, and 
hence there may be much griping pain ; therefore it is usual to 



PURGATIVES. 85 

prescribe hyoscyamus with these drugs, which are in order of 
efficiency — 



(7) Gamboge. 

(8) Oleum Terebinthinae. 

(9) Colocynth. 

(10) Elaterium, and 

(11) Croton oil. 



(1) Calomel. 

(2) Podophyllum. 

(3) [Leptandra.] 

(4) Aloes. 

(5) Jalap. 

(6) Scammony. 

The most powerful are placed last. Some, as jalap, elaterium, scammony, 
are often called hydragogue, because of the large amount of secretion they 
excite. 

Therapeutics. — Drastic purgatives are employed in obstinate 
constipation, and also to produce very watery evacuations with 
the object of removing as much fluid from the body as possible. 
Hence the frequent use of jalap in Bright's disease. 

Saline purgatives. — The action of these is obscure, but it seems 
certain that they very greatly increase the secretion of intestinal 
fluid, and hinder its reabsorption, so that a large amount of it 
accumulates in the intestine. The distension due to this accumu- 
lation excites gentle peristalsis, and consequently an easy, pain- 
less evacuation of the bowels. Secretion goes on till the fluid in 
the intestine has become a 5 or 6 per cent, solution of the drug, 
so that if a very concentrated solution is given, much intestinal 
fluid is secreted. There is some doubt whether osmosis plays any 
part in the process. The saline purgatives are — 



(1) Potassium et sodium tar- 

trate. 

(2) Potassium bitartrate. 



(4) Sodium sulphate. 

(5) Sodium tartrate. 

(6) Sodium phosphate. 



(3) Potassium sulphate. (7) Magnesium sulphate. 

Therapeutics. — These are very largely used as habitual 
purgatives, especially for persons suffering from any form of gout. 
They form the essential ingredient of most purgative mineral 
waters, as Hunyadi Janos, Pullna, Friedrichshall, ^Esculap, Rubi- 
nat, [Villacabras], etc. 

The best way of taking them is to put the required dose of the 
salt or the mineral water in a tumbler, add some lukewarm water, 
and sip it slowly while dressing in the morning. 



86 PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS. 

Cholagogue purgatives will be described when speaking of the 
liver. 

Enemata. — Any fluid preparation given per rectum is called 
an enema. When a purgative is liable to produce sickness, or it 
is inadvisable because of peritonitis, intestinal obstruction, ulcera- 
tion, or other diseases to give it by the mouth, it may be given 
per rectum. Castor oil, aloes, olive oil, magnesium sulphate, etc., 
may be administered in this way. Enough of a vehicle must 
always be used to make a purgative enema up to three-quarters of 
a pint or a pint, for distension of the rectum greatly aids purga- 
tion. A teaspoonful of glycerin injected into the rectum, or the 
same amount given as a suppository, often unlocks the bowels. 

[Intestinal Antiseptics. — These are believed to check 
fermentation and putrefaction in the intestines — 

(6) Corrosive Mercuric Chlo- 
ride. 

(7) Oil of Turpentine. 

(8) Silver Nitrate. 



(i.) Naphtol. 

(2) Naphtalin. 

(3) Bismuth Salicylate. 

(4) Salol. 

(5) Creosote. 



Naphtol has been shown to destroy micro-organisms in situ. 
When pure, naphtalin is not absorbed, it does not cause toxic 
symptoms, nor is there any change in the urine. Salol, a combi- 
nation of salicylic and carbolic acids, decomposes only in an alka- 
line solution, and this is useful for action in the small intestine. 
Creosote is valuable if administered in the form of enteric pills, 
which are soluble only in the intestinal fluids. Corrosive mer- 
curic chloride is too poisonous for use, save in exceptional cases. 
The late George B. Wood, of Philadelphia, achieved brilliant 
success with oil of turpentine in the treatment of typhoid fever. 
Silver nitrate has a limited use as an antiseptic, in its local appli- 
cation to dysenteric ulcerations within reach in the rectum and 
sigmoid flexure. The intelligent use of the foregoing drugs has 
greatly advanced the success of the treatment of a large number 
of cases of enteritis, colitis, diarrhoea, dysentery and typhoid fever.] 

Intestinal Astringents. — These may be described under 
the following heads : 



INTESTINAL ASTRINGENTS. 87 

Astringents acting on the vessels of the intestine. — These are 
the same as those acting on vessels generally. Those employed 
for their action on the intestine are — 

(1) Lead salts. (3) Alum. 

(2) Dilute solutions of silver salts. (4) Dilute sulphuric acid. 

Astringents coagulating albuminous fluids, and thus constricting 
the vessels : 



(1) Tannic acid, and all sub- 

stances containing it, as — 

(2) Krameria. 

(3) Kino. 

(4) Haematoxylon. 

(5) Cinnamon. 

(6) Catechu, and 



(7) Eucalyptus gum. 

(8) Lead salts. 

(9) Silver salts. 

(10) Zinc salts. 

(11) Bismuth salts. 

(12) Copper salts, and especially 

(13) Ferric salts. 

Astringents diminishing the amount of intestinal fluid secreted : 

(1) Opium. (3) Lead salts. 

(2) [Coto.] (4) Calcium salts. 

The precise action of these is obscure, but it is probable that they ope- 
rate in the way indicated. 

Astringents di?ninishing the contractions of the muscular coat 
of the intestines : 

(1) Opium. (5) Lead salts. 

(2) Belladonna. (6) Lime. 

(3) Hyoscyamus. (7) Bismuth salts. 

(4) Stramonium. 

Therapeutics. — The first proceeding in every case of diar- 
rhoea is to remove its cause ; if this can be done, it will probably 
subside. Often the cause is some irritating, indigestible food, 
and then it is advisable to give a mild purge, as castor oil, rhu- 
barb, etc., to get rid of it. The majority of cases of ordinary 
diarrhoea are probably due to some slight enteritis, and then any 
one of the astringents that have been named will be valuable, for 
it is desirable to constrict the dilated vessels, and to diminish the 
secretion and the movements. Intestinal astringents are, there- 
fore, often combined, and, when the diarrhoea is at all serious, 



88 PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS. 

opium is of great service. If there is a persistent cause, as tuber- 
culous ulceration, the hope of doing good is slight. But the treat- 
ment by drugs is only a small part of the battle ; if the diarrhoea 
is severe, absolute rest is necessary, food must be very simple and 
given in small quantities at a time, not much fluid should be 
drunk, and the patient must be kept warm. 

E. Drugs acting on the Liver. — The liver has several 
distinct functions, viz. : (#) to secrete bile ; (b) to form and store 
up glycogen ; (V) to form urea ; (d) to excrete substances ab- 
sorbed from the intestine, and (Y) to destroy poisonous substances 
absorbed from the intestine. 

i. Drugs influencing the secretion of bile. — It does not follow 
because more bile appears in the faeces that more is secreted, for 
it may be that the gall-bladder and ducts have been thoroughly 
emptied, or that the bile which has been poured into the duodenum 
has been swept along quickly before reabsorption, which is ordi- 
narily brisk, has had time to take place. Drugs which increase 
the amount of bile actually secreted are called direct chola- 
gogues, or hepatic stimulants ; but this is a bad name, as 
the liver has so many distinct functions : those which simply lead 
to a larger amount of bile being found in the faeces without any' 
extra secretion are called indirect cholagogues. 

Direct Cholagogues. — These have been studied in fasting 
curarized dogs. A canula is inserted into the bile-duct, and is 
brought out of the body, the drug to be experimented upon is 
administered, and the amount of bile secreted before and after 
the administration is noted. No food must be given during the 
experiment, as that alone causes a considerable increase in the 
biliary flow. 



Direct cholagogues (the most powerful placed first) are 

(1) Podophyllum. 

(2) Euonymus. 

(3) Iridin. 

(4) [Leptandra.] 

(5) Aloes. 

(6) Ipecacuanha. 



(7) Dilute nitric acid. 

(8) Dilute nitrohydrochloric 
acid. 

(9) Corrosive mercuric chlo- 
ride. 

(10) Sodium phosphate. 



CHOLAGOGUES. 89 



(17) Ammonium benzoate. 

(18) Rhubarb. 

(19) Jalap. 

(20) Scammony. 

(21) Dilute arsenous acid. 



(11) Sodium salicylate. 

(12) Sodium benzoate. 

(13) Sodium sulphate. 

(14) Colocynth. 

(15) Colchicum. 

(16) Potassium sulphate. 
There are individual differences among direct cholagogues. Some, as 

sodium salicylate, make the flow very watery ; with one (toluylendiamine), 
which is not given to man, the bile secreted is so thick that it flows through 
the duct with the greatest difficulty. 

Indirect Cholagogues. — These cause no increase in the 
amount of bile secreted ; they act by stimulating the upper part 
of the jejunum and the lower part of the duodenum, thus sweeping 
the bile on before there is time for it to be re-absorbed. 

They are — (1) Mercury, (2) most Cathartic purgatives, especially 
Calomel. 

Therapeutics. — Cholagogues are used for cases of dyspepsia 
in which there is reason to believe that the liver is the organ at 
fault, and certainly they often have a very markedly beneficial 
effect. It is clearly an advantage to combine direct and indirect 
cholagogues in order to insure that the bile shall be excreted. As 
bile itself is a stimulant to the peristaltic movements of the intes- 
tine, all cholagogues are purgatives, and form a distinct class of 
purgatives. In cases of hepatic dyspepsia attention to diet is of 
the greatest importance, and muscular movements, as riding, 
rowing, etc., aid in the expulsion of bile from the gall-bladder 
and ducts. 

Anti-cholagogues. — These are often called hepatic depres- 
sants. They decrease the quantity of bile secreted. Calomel, 
castor oil, gamboge, magnesium sulphate, opium and lead acetate 
have this effect, but it is not sufficiently marked to interfere with 
their therapeutic use for other purposes, and they are never em- 
ployed for this action. 

Drugs modifying the glycogenic function of the liver. — We 
will here refer to those drugs which cause sugar to appear in the 
urine, and to those drugs which diminish the glycogenic function 
of the liver. 



90 PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS. 

Drugs causing Sugar to appear in the Urine. — Until 
recently it was assumed that all these drugs acted on the liver, 
probably by increasing the amount of sugar made from the hepatic 
store of glycogen; but now we have reasons for thinking that 
sometimes the pancreas may be the organ at fault in diabetes, for 
its excision causes sugar to appear in the urine, and other symp- 
toms of diabetes; also it has been suggested that perhaps some 
perversion of processes going on in muscles may cause diabetes, 
therefore it is rash to assume that all drugs causing sugar to appear 
in the urine (glycosuria) must act on the liver. What little can 
be stated as to the mode of action of these drugs will be given 
when each individual drug is considered. 

The drugs stated to cause glycosuria have already been mentioned. 

Excepting phloridizin and phloretin, all these substances must, in most 
cases, be given in poisonous doses to produce glycosuria. Glycuronic acid, 
which gives the same reduction with Fehling's solution as sugar, but differs 
from it in not giving the fermentation test, appears in the urine after the admin- 
istration of chloroform, chloral, camphor, morphine, and curare, and it is quite 
possible that experimenters have forgotten this fact when they have stated that 
certain drugs produce glycosuria. Salicyluric acid, which occurs in the urine 
after taking salicylic acid, reduces Fehling's solution. Leucin and uric acid do 
the same to a very slight extent. Drugs are never employed with the object of 
producing glycosuria. 

Depressants of the Glycogenic Function. — Phosphorus, arse- 
nic, and antimony diminish and even stop the formation of glycogen by the 
liver ; they also cause fatty degeneration of it. In certain forms of diabetes, 
opium, morphine, and codeine have a most marked effect in diminishing 
the quantity of sugar in the urine. 

3. Drugs modifying the formation of urea by the liver — It is 
believed that some of the nitrogenous substances, especially 
leucin, arriving at the liver, are there converted into urea. The 
quantity of urea excreted by tne urine is increased by phosphorus, 
arsenic, antimony, ammonium chloride, and iron. Phosphorus 
may also lead to the appearance in the urine of leucin and tyro- 
sin. There is some evidence that this drug causes an increase of 
the urea through its action on the liver, for in phosphorus poison- 
ing that organ undergoes extreme fatty degeneration, and jaun- 



DRUGS ACTING ON THE NERVES AND MUSCLES. 9 1 

dice supervenes. Whether the other drugs act through the liver 
is doubtful. Antimony and arsenic, if given in large doses for 
some time, both produce general fatty degeneration. All these 
substances must be administered in almost poisonous doses in 
order to increase the urea in the urine, and they are not employed 
therapeutically for this purpose. 

Opium, coichicum, alcohol, and quinine are said to increase 
the quantity of urea excreted. 

Division X. — Drugs acting on the Nervous and Muscular 

Systems. 

A. Drugs acting on the Muscles. — Pharmacologists have 
devoted much attention to this class of drugs ; but as the facts 
ascertained are not used in medicine, we need not stop to con- 
sider them. Brunton gives the following classification, founded 
on that of Roberts : 

Class I. Irritability of muscle unaffected ; total amount of work it can do 
diminished. — The following produce this effect: Apomorphine, delphinine, 
saponin, copper, zinc, and cadmium. And in large doses antimony, arsenic, 
platinum, iron. 

Class II. Both the irritability and the capacity for work diminished. — 
The following produce this effect : Potassium, lithium, ammonium, quinine, 
alcohol, chloral, chloroform. 

Class III. Diminish the capacity for work, and make the excitability very 
irregular. — Lead, emetine, and cocaine. 

Class IV. Alter the form of the muscle curve. — Veratrine, barium, stron- 
tium, and calcium salts, digitalis, and squill. 

Class V. Increases the excitability. — Physostigmine. 

Class VI. Increase the capacity for work. — Caffeine and theobromine. 

Small doses of strychnine and veratrine shorten the latent period ; large 
doses lengthen it. 

Dilute alkalies diminish the extensibility; dilute acids increase it. 

B. Drugs acting on the Peripheral Endings of Motor 
Nerves. — Of the drugs belonging to this group the action of 
curare has been worked out most fully. If curare is given to an ani- 
mal, it is found that the muscles will respond to a mechanical stim 
ulus, although they will not contract when the motor nerve is 



g2 PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS. 

stimulated. If a single muscle be removed from the circulation 
by ligature of its vessels before the administration of curare, after- 
wards it will be the only one that will respond to stimulation of 
its motor nerve. As this was the only muscle of the body that 
the drug could not reach, and it is the only one not poisoned, 
the poison clearly acts locally on the muscles ; but as the curarized 
muscle will respond to mechanical stimulation curare must par- 
alyze the motor nerves within the muscle, probably the end plates. 

Drugs paralyzing the termination of the motor nerves in muscle : 



( 1 ) Curare. 

(2) Conium. 

(3) Belladonna (atropine). 

(4) Stramonium. 

(5) Hyoscyamus. 

(6) Saponin. 

(7) Sparteine. 

(8) Amyl nitrite. 

(9) Dilute hydrocyanic acid. 

(10) Cocaine. 

(11) Camphor. 



(12) Lobeline. 

(13) Nicotine. 

(14) Methyl-brucine. 

(15) Methyl-cinchonine. 

(16) Methyl-codeine. 

(17) Methyl -morphine. 

(18) Methyl-quinine. 

(19) Methyl -nicotine. 

(20) Methyl-strychnine. 

and many others. 



Curare and conium are by far the most important. Therapeutically we 
never desire to paralyze motor nerve endings. 

Drugs stimulating the terminations of motor nerves in muscle : 

(1) Aconite. (4) Pyridine. 

(2) Nicotine. (5) Strychnine (slightly). 

(3) Pilocarpine. 

Excepting that perhaps some of the beneficial action of strychnine in cer- 
tain cases may be due to its slight action on motor nerves, we do not employ 
these drugs for this action. 

C. Drugs acting on the Peripheral Endings of Sen- 
sory Nerves (other than those of special sense). — Our know- 
ledge of these is derived almost entirely from observations on man, 
for it is very difficult to experiment upon animals, as they have 
such imperfect means of communicating their sensations to us. 

Drugs which stimulate the terminations of sensory nerves. — 
These, when applied locally, cause pain. They are the same as 
the local vascular irritants which have already been enumerated 



DRUGS ACTING ON THE MOTOR NERVES. 93 

(p. 53); in fact, most of them give rise to pain by causing local 
inflammation. There is no need to repeat the list. 

Therapeutics. — Local irritants are chiefly employed for 
their action on the vessels, but as they are also counter-irritants, 
their application to the skin, while causing some pain there, will 
often relieve a deep-seated pain. Although pain is always referred 
to the periphery, it is appreciated centrally, and therefore peri- 
pheral stimulation of nerves, which also reflexly excites the heart 
and respiration, is used to rouse people from unconsciousness, 
such as that of fainting, opium poisoning, etc. For these pur- 
poses the stimulus must be prompt, hence the application of the 
faradic current to the skin is a good means to employ. 

Drugs which depress the terminations of sensory nerves. — Of 
these there are two kinds : those which only relieve pain, or 
local anodynes; and those which diminish sensibility, or local 
anaesthetics. 

Local Anodynes. — These have no action unless pain be present. They 
are — 

(1) Aconite. (9) Chloral. 

(2) Carbolic acid. (10) Belladonna. 

(3) Menthol. (11) Stramonium. 

(4) Dilute hydrocyanic acid. (12) Hyoscyamus. 

(5) Sodium bicarbonate. (13) Opium. 

(6) Ether. 1 These must be (14) Veratrine. 

(7) Alcohol. r allowed to eva- (15) Zinc Oxide. 

(8) Chloioform. J porate. 

In the above list the most powerful are placed first. Many other substances 
are said to be local anodynes, but their claim to the title is doubtful. Cold is a 
powerful depressant of sensibility, and therefore it is an excellent local anodyne ; 
so also is warmth, for heat dilates the vessels, and thus relieves tension, which 
is a very powerful factor in causing pain. 

Therapeutics. — It is clear that the scope for the employ- 
ment of local anodynes is very wide. If possible, the first thing 
is to remove the cause of the pain, but often, as in neuralgia and 
many forms of pruritus, we cannot do this. 

Local Anaesthetics. — These are cocaine, carbolic acid, and extreme 
cold, whether produced by ice or the ether spray. This spray was formerly 



94 PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS. 

employed to produce local anaesthesia before doing small operations ; but it has 
been superseded by cocaine, which produces a high degree of local insensibility. 

D. Drugs acting on the Trunks of Nerves. — These are 
of greater pathological than pharmacological interest. If taken 
for a long time they produce chronic inflammation of the nerves, 
which is shown by the great increase of the fibrous tissue between 
the nerve-fibres and the fatty degeneration of the fibres them- 
selves. During the earlier stages the irritation of the nerves 
causes much pain and tingling ; later, as they lose their function, 
numbness, with loss of sensation, and paralysis set in, often 
accompanied by trophic lesions. For fuller details books on 
medicine must be consulted. 

The drugs producing peripheral neuritis are — 



(i) Lead. 
(2) Mercury. 



(3) Arsenic. 

(4) Alcohol. 



E. Drugs acting on the Spinal Cord. — The difficulties 
of experiment are so great that we know nothing of the action of 
drugs on the sensory portions of the cord. We are also ignorant 
of the action of drugs on the motor fibres. The following 
method is adopted to discover whether a drug acts on the cells of 
the anterior cornua. Suppose we are studying a drug which 
stimulates the motor cells. After the drug has been given, a 
slight peripheral stimulus will produce such marked reflex action 
that convulsions will ensue upon the stimulation. If the cord is 
cut across and the convulsions follow the stimulus as before, it is 
clear that these cannot be of cerebral origin, for in that case they 
would not take place below the point of section. Again, if 
before injection of the drug into the circulation, the vessels of 
the cord are ligatured, and then the drug causes no convulsion, it 
is clear that it acts on the cord and not on the muscles or nerves. 
These results are confirmed, if, when the drug is injected into 
vessels by which it reaches the cord quickly, convulsions occur 
sooner than when it is thrown into other vessels ; also if convul- 
sions do not take place when the cord is destroyed ; and lastly if, 
when the destruction is gradually caused by pushing a wire down 



DRUGS ACTING ON THE SPINAL GORD. 95 

the vertebral canal, the convulsions cease from above downwards 
as the cord is destroyed. 

The drugs increasing the irritability of the anterior cornua are — 

(1) Strychnine. (5) Chloroform. 

(2) Biucine. (6) Ether. 

(3) Ammonia. (7) Ergot. 

(4) Thebaine. (8) Opium. 
(The last four only slightly, and early in their action). 

Therapeutics. — It is very rarely that we can do any good 
in spinal diseases by attempting to stimulate the anterior cornua ; 
but strychnine is occasionally given for cases of paralysis due to 
diseases of the spinal cord. 

Drugs which depress the activity of the anterior cornua : 

(1) Physostigmine. (14) Antimony salts. 

(2) Bromides. . (15) Arsenical salts. 

(3) Alcohol. (16) Camphor. 

(4) Chloroform. (17) Amyl nitrite. 

(5) Ether. (18) Sodium nitrite. 

(6) Ergot. (19) Chloral. 

(7) Opium. (20) Carbolic acid. 

(8) Mercury. (21) Apomorphine. 

(9) Zinc salts. (22) Veratrine. 

(10) Silver salts. (23) Turpentine. 

(11) Sodium salts. (24) Saponin. 

(12) Potassium salts. (25) Emetine. 

(13) Lithium salts. (26) Gelsemium. 

Of these, apomorphine, alcohol, chloroform, ether, arsenic, camphor, mor- 
phine, carbolic acid, chloral, nicotine, and veratrine first excite slightly before 
depressing. 

Therapeutics. — These drugs are of very little use in medi- 
cine for their action on the spinal cord. Physostigmine is by far 
the most powerful, and has been occasionally used in obscure 
nerve diseases accompanied by convulsions, as tetanus. 

Ergot has a very peculiar action in producing sclerosis of the 
posterior columns of the cord. Lead sometimes causes atrophy 
of the anterior cornual cells, and long-continued abuse of alcohol 
probably causes slight degeneration of the cord as a whole. 



96 PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS. 

F. Drugs acting on the Brain. — The action of these 
cannot be localized nearly so accurately as can that of drugs acting 
on the spinal cord and nerves. Drugs acting on the brain illus- 
trate two very important general laws. 

First, the law of dissolution, which, when stated as it 
applies in pharmacology,, is as follows: When a drug affects 
functions progressively, those first affected are the highest in de- 
velopment ; that is to say, they are the last acquired by the indi- 
vidual and the last to appear in the species. The next affected 
are those next to highest, and so on ; till finally the lowest of all 
from an evolutionary point of view, that is to say, the functions 
of respiration and circulation, are affected. This law is very well 
exemplified in the case of alcohol, for the first functions to be 
disordered are those of the intellect, especially the highest, such 
as judgment and reason; then follow disorders of movement, and 
finally death from failure of respiration and circulation. 

Another law very well exemplified by drugs which act on 
the brain is that when a drug in moderate doses excites a func- 
tion, in large doses it often paralyzes it. For example, a person 
under the influence of chloroform, soon after its administration, 
tosses his arms about in a disorderly way, but they subsequently 
become motionless, and cerebral stimulants may also be hypnotics. 

Drugs acting on the motor centres of the brain. — To investigate 
these, the motor area of the cortex is exposed by trephining, and 
the strength of current which it is necessary to apply to the motor 
area to produce corresponding movements, is noted before and 
after the administration of the drug. Another method is to 
observe the strength of current necessary to evoke a movement, 
then to allow the wound [made by the trephine] to close, after- 
wards the animal is made to take the drug regularly for some 
weeks. The opposite motor area is then exposed, and the 
strength of current required to call forth movements is noted. 

It has been found that — 

(i) Alcohol. (4) Potassium bromide. 

(2) Anaesthetics. (5) Sodium bromide. 

(3) Chloral. (6) Ammonium bromide, 
diminish the activity of the cells of the motor area. 



CEREBRAL DEPRESSANTS. 97 

Bromides are largely used in epilepsy and other convulsive 
disorders on account of this function. 

Drugs exciting the motor cells of the cortex are — 

(i) Atropine. (3) Strychnine. 

(2) Absinthium. I (4) Physostigmine. 

They have no therapeutical application in virtue of this property. 

General cerebral stimulants. — It is impossible to know any- 
thing of these by experiments on animals. In man they cause 
general excitation of the mental faculties, followed in many cases 
by delirium and incoherence. The exact form of delirium differs 
a little in each case. 

Such drugs are — 

(1) Belladonna. (11) Coca. 

(2) Stramonium. (12) Cannabis Indica. 

(3) Hyoscyamus. (13) Lupulus. 

(4) Alcohol. (14) Opium. 

(5) Chloroform. (15) Camphor. 

(6) Ether. (16) Santonin. 

(7) Nitrous oxide. (17) Quinine. 

(8) Coffee. (18) Salicylic acid. 

(9) Tea. (19) Tobacco. 
(10) Guarana. | 

Therapeutics. — Many of these are taken habitually as cere- 
bral stimulants; for example, alcohol, tea, coffee, tobacco, in 
England ; opium in the East ; cannabis indica in many parts of 
Asia ; coca in parts of South America ; and if it is wished to 
give a cerebral stimulant as a drug, one of these is usually chosen. 
The rest, which are very important, are commonly employed for 
some other action. With very many of this class of drugs, as 
will be seen directly, the stimulant action soon gives way to a 
paralyzing influence. 

General cerebral depressants. — These are commonly divided 
into three classes : Hypnotics or Soporifics, Narcotics, Anaes- 
thetics. 

Hypnotics or Soporifics are drugs which produce sleep, 
closely resembling, if not identical with, natural sleep. The 
9 



98 PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS. 

brain during sleep is anaemic, and it is thought that this anaemia 
is the cause of sleep ; possibly some soporifics act by producing 
cerebral anaemia. 

The hypnotics are — 

(1) Opium. (9) Sulphonal. 

(2) Morphine. (10) Chloralamide. 

(3) Chloral. (11) [Somnal.] 

(4) Butyl-chloral hydrate. (12) Urethane. 

(5) Bromides. (13) Lupulus. 

(6) Hyoscyamus. (14) Alcohol. 

(7) Cannabis Indica. (15) Lactucarium. 

(8) Paraldehyde. (16) [Piscidia.] 

Therapeutics. — These drugs are often used for persons suf- 
fering from sleeplessness, but it is far more important to remove 
the cause of the sleeplessness. Sleep is often promoted by dilat- 
ing the vessels of other parts of the body than the brain ; for ex- 
ample, a warm bath or an abundant meal conduces to sleep. 
The use of hypnotics is greatly abused. Those who take them 
become habituated to them, so that at last even large doses do not 
cause sleep. Chloral, the bromides, and chloralamide are per- 
haps the most satisfactory. 

Narcotics are substances which not only produce sleep, but 
also in large doses depress the functions of respiration and circu- 
lation. Many of them fall also under the head of general anaes- 
thetics ; others are, in smaller doses, hypnotics. 

The following is a list of them : 

(1) General Anaesthetics. (6) Hyoscyamus. 

(2) Opium. (7) Alcohol. 

(3) Chloral. (8) Cannabis Indica. 

(4) Belladonna. (9) Lupulus. 

(5) Stramonium. 

All must be given in considerable doses. 

Therapeutics. — They are of great use in calming excitement 
of any kind ; many of them, such as, for example, opium and 
belladonna, are beneficial in relieving distress and producing 
sleep in heart disease. 



ANAESTHETICS. 99 

General Anaesthetics. — These are drugs which lead to a 
total loss of consciousness, so that pain is no longer felt ; at the 
same time reflex action is abolished. They illustrate admirably 
the law of dissolution, and also the fact that, after excitement, 
paralysis often succeeds ; and the stages consequent upon these 
laws can be readily observed in any one who is taking an anaes- 
thetic. Firstly, in obedience to the law of dissolution the highest 
faculty, the imagination, becomes excited, the patient sees visions 
and hears noises. He next begins to chatter wildly and inco- 
herently, for in the excitement of any function by a drug the 
exaltation is usually irregular, and confusion results. Next, the 
other motor centres of the cortex are stimulated irregularly, so 
that he gesticulates, throws his arms about wildly, and tosses his 
body. By this time the brief stimulation of the higher intellec- 
tual faculties has probably ceased, and, in obedience to the 
second law, vision, hearing, and touch are dulled, and he has 
lost control over his reason, so that he feels light-headed, as he 
expresses it, crying and laughing easily ; now he is totally irre- 
sponsible for his actions and careless as to their results. It will 
be noticed that the functions are paralyzed in the order stated in 
the law of dissolution. Next there follows upon the stimulation 
of the motor areas, stimulation of the heart and respiration. The 
pulse and respiration both increase in number, the blood-pressure 
rises, the face flushes. Then comes depression of all the functions 
previously excited ; first the higher parts of the cerebrum give 
way, and the patient loses consciousness — neither bright lights, 
sounds, nor painful impressions arouse him: he becomes quiet, 
and ceases to throw his arms and legs about ; the reflexes disap- 
pear, and consequently touching the conjunctiva does not produce 
closing of the eyelid ; the feet do not move when they are tickled, 
the pupil is contracted, and the previous quickening of the pulse 
and respiration is succeeded by a slowing of their rate. It is at 
this period that the patient cannot feel pain, and that therefore 
operations are performed. The depression of the motor centres 
is followed by the depression of the muscular tone, and the mus- 
cles become quite flaccid and cease to respond to mechanical 



100 PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS. 

stimulation. This is the degree of narcosis that is required for 
the easy reduction of dislocations and for the easy manual ex- 
amination of the abdominal viscera. Anaesthetics should not be 
pushed beyond this stage. If they are, even the involuntary 
muscles lose their tone and reflex excitability, so that the sphinc- 
ters of the rectum and the bladder relax. The depression of the 
pulse and respiration continues, the movements of the chest 
become weaker and weaker, and slower and slower, the pulse 
becomes very feeble, slow, and irregular, and the heart finally 
stops in diastole. Death occurs partly by the heart and partly by 
the respiration. At any period of the administration during 
which recovery is possible, the functions of the body will return 
in just the reverse order to that in which they were lost, thus 
again illustrating the law of dissolution. It is often many hours 
before the mental faculties have recovered their equilibrium, 
and long after the patient can move his muscles, he cannot co- 
ordinate them. There are individual differences in the different 
anaesthetics and in different persons. 
The general anaesthetics are — 



(i) Chloroform. 


(6) Ethylene bichloride.] 


(2) Ether. 


(7) Many other substitution 


(3) Nitrous oxide. 


products derived from alco- 


(4) Methylene bichloride. 


hols and ethers. 


[(5) Pental. 





Therapeutics. — Anaesthetics are given to cause uncon- 
sciousness, so that pain may not be experienced during opera- 
tions, to relax muscles in cases of dislocations, abdominal exam- 
inations, phantom tumors, &c, to relieve severe pain, such as that 
of parturition, biliary and renal colic, to quiet the body during 
convulsions, as in tetanus and hydrophobia. 

The chief dangers of anesthetics are — 1 . Death from shock. 
This usually takes place before the patient is fully under the 
influence of the anaesthetic ; reflex action is not yet quite abol- 
ished, and the heart is stopped reflexly from the peripheral 
stimulus of the operation. This is one of the greatest and most 
common dangers of anaesthetics, especially of chloroform. It is, 



ANESTHETICS. IOI 

to a large extent, avoidable if care be taken that the patient is 
fully under the influence of the anaesthetic before the operation is 
begun ; often, when it is trivial, the operator is in too great a 
hurry to begin, and the patient suddenly dies from failure of the 
heart. 

2. Death from paralysis of respiration. This is usually due 
to a combination of circumstances. Too much of the anaesthetic 
may have been given, respiration may be difficult because the 
patient suffers from some disease of the lungs, or the operation 
may demand that he should lie on his side or in some other posi- 
tion which hampers respiration. It is not a very great danger, 
for it is heralded by lividity ; and if then the posture is changed, 
the administration of the anaesthetic is stopped, and artificial 
respiration is performed, the patient usually quickly recovers ; 
even if he does not, artificial respiration, with the head thrown 
back and the tongue pulled out, should be carried on as long as 
there is any evidence that the heart is beating, or if the patient 
draws a breath when artificial respiration is stopped for half a 
minute. Cases have recovered although it has been necessary to 
keep up artificial respiration for hours. 

3. Cardiac failure may occur if the vapor is too concentrated. 
The patient almost suddenly becomes pale, and the pulse stops. 
In such a case no more anaesthetic should be given, artificial respi- 
ration must be kept up in the manner just mentioned, the patient 
inverted so that the head is lowest, and the heart may be stimu- 
lated by the subcutaneous injection of brandy, by the inhalation 
of amyl nitrite, by the application of the faradic current over 
the cardiac region, by the plunging of electric needles into the 
heart, or by flicking the chest over the heart with hot towels and 
placing hot compresses over it. 

4. Vomited matter and, if the operation is about the mouth, 
blood may suffocate the patient. To avoid the first contingency 
no food should be taken for some time before the operation, and 
if the patient is sick he should be turned on his side ; to avoid 
the latter special precautions must be taken, which are described 
in books on operative surgery. 



102 PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS. 

For the relative advantages of the different anaesthetics and 
the mode of giving each, the account of the different individual 
drugs must be consulted. 

G. Drugs acting on the Eye. 

i. Drugs Acting on the Pupil. — The first thing to deter- 
mine is whether any drug which dilates or contracts the pupil acts 
locally or centrally. It is dropped into one eye : if it only acts 
feebly and after some time on both eyes, it follows that it has 
acted centrally after absorption from the conjunctiva into the gen- 
eral circulation ; but if it acts quickly, powerfully, and only on 
the eye into which it was dropped, its action is local. If it acts 
on an excised eye its action must be local. If, when all the 
vessels going to the eye are ligatured, the drug will act when 
dropped into the eye, but will not when thrown into the general 
circulation, this again shows that its action is local, and that when 
it acts after being thrown into the circulation when no vessels are 
ligatured, it does so because it is circulating locally through the 
eye. If all the arteries and veins of the eye are ligatured, and 
the drug will not act when locally applied, although it would be- 
fore, and will now when thrown into general circulation, it shows 
that its action is central, and that it acts when dropped into the 
eye because some of it is absorbed. If it has been proved by 
these means to act centrally, the further investigation is difficult, 
for the central mechanism is complex. 

If it has been proved to act locally, it may act either on the 
muscular fibres of the iris, on the terminations of the third nerve 
in them, or on the terminations of the cervical sympathetic in 
them. Stimulation of the third nerve causes the pupil to con- 
tract ; section of it causes the pupil to dilate. Stimulation of the 
sympathetic causes the pupil to dilate; section of it causes the 
pupil to contract. If the pupil is dilated by the local action of 
a drug, and stimulation of the third nerve will not cause it to 
contract, but yet the muscle is responsive to mechanical stimula- 
tion, it shows that the endings of the third nerve are paralyzed. 
If the pupil is contracted by the drug, and although responsive 
to mechanical stimulation, will not dilate when the third nerve is 



DRUGS ACTING ON THE CILIARY MUSCLE. IO3 

cut, it shows that the ends of the third nerve are stimulated. If 
a drug locally dilates the pupil, but not as powerfully as stimula- 
tion of the sympathetic, it is clear that its whole effect is not due 
to a stimulation of the sympathetic ; and if the muscle remains 
locally irritable, the third nerve ending must be paralyzed. A 
series of similar experiments may be made with regard to the 
sympathetic. By these means the mode of action of many drugs 
has been made out, but often they act both on the sympathetic 
and the third nerve. In the following list they will be classified 
under their main actions. 

Mydriatics {pupil dilators) — 

A. Paralyze the terminations of the third nerve. 

(1) Atropine. (4) Hyoscyamine. 

(2) Homatropine. (5) Gelsemine (probably). 

(3) Daturine. (6) Muscarine (probably). 

B. Stimulate the terminations of the sympathetic. — Cocaine. 

C. Act centrally. — Anaesthetics (late in their action). 

Myotics {contract the pupil). 

A. Stimulate the terminations of the third nerve. — Physostigmine, 
pilocarpine, nicotine (probably). 

B. Act centrally. — Anaesthetics (early in their action), opium. 

Therapeutics. — Dilators of the pupils, especially atropine 
and homatropine, are used to dilate the pupil for ophthalmoscopic 
examination, and to prevent or break down adhesions of the iris. 
Contractors of the pupil, especially physostigmine, are used to 
overcome the effects of atropine, [to prevent or break down adhe- 
sions of the iris], and to prevent too much light entering the eye 
in painful diseases of it. 

2. Drugs acting on the Ciliary Muscle. — The following 
drugs impair or paralyze accommodation : 

(1) Atropine. (5) Cocaine. 

(2) Daturine. (6) Physostigmine. 

(3) Hyoscyamine. (7) Pilocarpine. 

(4) Homatropine. (8) Gelsemine. 

Intra-ocular tension is increased by atropine (large doses), 



104 PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS. 

hyoscyamine, daturine. It is decreased by cocaine and physos- 
tigmine. 

Gelsemine paralyzes the external ocular muscles, especially 
the levator palpebral and the external rectus, by its action on the 
terminal nerve filaments. 

The capacity for seeing blue is increased by strychnine. San- 
tonin causes first violet, then yellow vision. 

H. Drugs acting on the Ears. — We know very little 
about the action of drugs on them. Quinine and salicylic acid 
cause noises and buzzing. 

J. Drugs acting on Sympathetic System. — Much of 
this subject has already been discussed when speaking of the 
action of drugs on vessels. The curious fact has been made out 
that if an animal be treated with a large dose of nicotine, or if 
this be applied locally to the superior cervical ganglion, stimula- 
tion of the nerve below the ganglion no longer produces its char- 
acteristic effects, although stimulation above the ganglion does. 

Division XI. — Drugs acting on the Organs of Generation. 

A. Aphrodisiacs. — These are substances which increase 
sexual desire. There are conceivably many ways in which this 
might take place. There is a centre in the lumbar spinal cord, 
irritation of which causes erection, and this is capable of being 
excited by afferent impulses proceeding from many parts of the 
body, but especially from the cerebrum, and the genital organs 
themselves, or the parts in their immediate neighborhood. The 
lumbar centre appears to be very dependent upon the general 
health, and therefore substances which improve this are indirectly 
aphrodisiacs. 

The following drugs are known as aphrodisiacs ; their mode of action is 
not certainly known. 

(i) Strychnine. (5) Camphor. 

(2) Cantharides. (6) Phosphorus. 

(3) Alcohol. (7) Damiana. 

(4) Cannabis Indica. 

B. Anaphrodisiacs. — We do not know for certain of any 



DRUGS ACTING ON ORGANS OF GENERATION. 105 

drugs which have a depressant effect upon the lumbar centre. 
Most anaphrodisiacs act by decreasing or removing some irrita- 
tion which is reflexly producing an aphrodisiac effect, but some 
probably act centrally. 

Drugs used as anaphrodisiacs are — 



(1) Bromides. 

(2) Potassium iodide. 

(3) Opium. 

(4) Belladonna. 



(5) Hyoscyamus. 

(6) Stramonium. 

(7) Digitalis. 

(8) Purgatives. 



C. Ecbolics or Oxytocics are remedies which during or 
immediately after parturition increase uterine action 
They are — 



(1) Ergot. 

(2) Quinine. 

(3) Savine. 



(4) Hydrastis. 

(5) Rue. 

(6) Powerful purgatives. 



Of these ergot is by far the most important. Occasionally some of these 
drugs will act upon the gravid uterus to produce abortion before parturition has 
begun. They have all of them been used criminally for this purpose. 

D. Emmenagogues are substances used to increase the 
menstrual flow. Diminution of the menstrual flow is a symptom 
of so many diseases that a large number of drugs which remedy 
these are indirect emmenagogues, but the substances which seem 
to have a special action in increasing the menstrual flow are — 

(1) All Ecbolics. (4) Guaiacum. 

(2) Asafcetida. (5) Cantharides. 

(3) Myrrh. (6) Borax. 

Among the many indirect emmenagogues the commoner are purgatives, 
iron, manganese, cod liver oil, and strychnine, which act by improving the gen- 
eral health. Hot foot or hip baths, especially if mustard be added, often aid 
the onset of menstruation. 

E. Substances which depress Uterine Action. — 

These are employed to restrain the contractions of the gravid 
uterus. They are — 

(1) Bromides. (5) Cannabis Indica. 

(2) Opium. (6) Chloroform. 

(3) Chloral. (7) Antimony and potassium 

(4) [Viburnum.] tartrate. 
10 



I06 PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS. 

F. Drugs acting on the Secretion of Milk. 

Galactogogues, or drugs which increase the secretion of milk. 

Pilocarpus, [Leaves of Ricinus Communis,] and Alcohol — Of these 
pilocarpus is the most powerful, but its effects soon pass off. [The leaves of the 
castor oil plant are used, applied as a poultice, and a decoction, or the fluid ex- 
tract of them, given internally at the same time.] Alcohol is very feeble. The 
secretion is so much under the control of the general health that the best way 
to insure an abundant secretion is to keep the general health as good as 
possible. 

Antigalactogogues, or drugs which decrease the secretion of 
milk. 

Belladonna, either given internally or applied locally, is very efficient, 
probably acting locally on the mammary gland as on the sweat glands. 

The following drugs, if given, are excreted by the milk, and are therefore 
taken in by the child : — Oil of anise, oil of dill, garlic, oil of turpentine, oil of 
copaiba, and probably all volatile oils, sulphur, rhubarb, senna, jalap, scam- 
mony, castor oil, opium, iodine, indigo, antimony, arsenic, bismuth, iron, lead, 
mercury, zinc, potassium iodide. It is clear that these must be administered 
with care to the mother ; for example, copaiba or turpentine will make the 
milk so nasty that the child will not take it. The above purgatives given to 
the mother may cause diarrhoea in the child Opium should not be given in 
large doses to the mother. On the other hand, mercury, arsenic, and potas- 
sium iodide may be administered to the child by being given to her. 

Division XII. — Drugs acting on Metabolism. 

Our knowledge of the normal metabolism of the body is very 
imperfect, consequently we know very little more than has already 
been stated under other divisions, about the action of drugs on 
metabolism. Any further remarks which are necessary will be 
made when the individual drugs are considered. Two words in 
common use are alterative and tonic. 

Alterative is a vague term of which no definition can be given. It is 
often used to cloak our ignorance, when we have no exact knowledge of the 
action of a drug. Many drugs comprehended under this term have the pro- 
perty of profoundly altering the body, especially if it be diseased; for example, 
mercury will, if the patient be suffering from syphilis, generally cause the ab- 
sorption of syphilitic exudations, but we do not know how this takes place. 



DRUGS ACTING ON METABOLISM. IO7 

All that can be said about such drugs will be stated under each, for their 
mode of action is probably so different, that no useful purpose would be served 
by considering them together. 

Tonic. — This is a term even more vague than alterative. So ill-defined 
is it, that it is advisable never to use it if it can be avoided. As commonly 
employed, it means a drug which makes the patient feel in more robust health 
than he did before he took it. Obviously this may happen in many ways, such 
as, for instance, by improving the digestion or the quality of the blood. 



PHARMACOP(EIAL MATERIA MEDICA. 

(For Non-pharmacopoeial, see Appendix I. [and II.]) 



Part I.— INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 



GROUP I. 

Aqua, [Hydrogenii Dioxidum. 

I. AQUA, Water, H 2 0=I7.96. — Natural water in its purest attainable 
state. 

Characters. — A colorless, limpid liquid, without odor or taste at ordi- 
nary temperatures, and remaining odorless while being heated to boiling. 

AQUA DESTILLATA.— Distilled water, H 2 0=i7. 9 6. 

Source. — Take iooo volumes of water, distil from a suitable apparatus 
provided with a block tin or glass condenser, reject the first ioo volumes, 
which contain volatile impurities, and preserve the next 800 in glass-stoppered 
bottles, rinsed with hot distilled water immediately before being filled. 

Characters. — A colorless, limpid liquid, without odor or taste, and per- 
fectly neutral to litmus paper. 

Tests. — Evaporated in a clean glass capsule on a water bath, no residue 
should remain. It is not affected by Hydrogen or Ammonium Sulphide 
(absence of metallic impurities), Ammonium Oxalate (Calcium), Silver Nitrate 
(Chlorides), Barium Chloride (Sulphates), or Mercuric Chloride (Ammonia), 
nor should its transparency be affected when mixed with twice its volume of 
Calcic Hydrate test solution (absence of Carbonic Acid.) In heating to 
boiling and acidulating with diluted Sulphuric Acid and adding a one-tenth 
of one per cent, solution of Potassium Permanganate, the color produced is 
not entirely destroyed by boiling five minutes nor by afterwards setting the 
vessel aside, well covered, for ten hours (absence of organic or other oxidizable 
matters)]. Aqua Destillata is always to be used for making up prescriptions. 

Action.* 
External.— An indifferent bath (88°— 98 F.), or one in 



* Unless otherwise stated, the word action will in this book always be 
taken to mean physiological action, or action in health. 
108 



WATER. IO9 

which the bather feels neither hot nor cold, produces no particu- 
lar effect. 

Cold baths increase the production of heat, and abstract heat 
from the body if they are prolonged ; therefore, at first the bodily 
temperature may rise slightly, but when the loss exceeds the pro- 
duction it falls. The amount of carbon dioxide expired is in- 
creased. The rate of the pulse and respiration at first rises, but 
they soon fall. The skin becomes pale, and the condition of 
goose-skin is seen. After the bath (the duration and temperature 
suitable for different persons vary widely) there is a feeling of 
warmth and exhilaration, and the cutaneous vessels dilate [(re- 
action).] 

A warm bath, if sufficiently prolonged, may cause a slight rise 
of the bodily temperature, the skin becomes red, the pulse and 
respirations are more frequent, the amount of urine secreted is 
diminished, and after the bath there is profuse perspiration. 

Internal. — Warm water gives rise to nausea and vomiting; 
hot water, taken in small quantities at frequent intervals, may 
check both. Water is quickly absorbed from the stomach, and 
very soon afterwards the amount of urine secreted is greatly in- 
creased, and to a less degree the amount of bile, pancreatic juice, 
and saliva. Large quantities of fluid should not be drunk during 
meal times, as that impairs digestion. If a considerable amount 
of water is drunk daily the amount of urea excreted is increased, 
and that of uric acid is diminished. Water not only washes out 
the tissues, but apparently renders tissue metamorphosis more 
complete. 

Therapeutics. 

External. — Cold baths are used for the subsequent exhila- 
rating effects, which may be increased by [brisk] rubbing with a 
rough towel. Persons in whom a feeling of warmth does not im- 
mediately follow a cold bath should not use it. The constant 
daily use of a cold bath probably diminishes the liability to catch 
cold. Cold baths are said to arrest attacks of laryngismus strid- 
ulus. They have been largely used to reduce the temperature in 
fever, especially typhoid fever. The first effect of putting the 



1 10 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

patient in the cold water is to cause, reflexly from the stimulation 
of the skin by the cold, an increased production of heat ; for this 
reason and because of the cessation of radiation, the rectal tem- 
perature at first rises a little, but soon, owing to the direct ab- 
straction of heat, and to the diminished production of heat which 
quickly sets in, it falls rapidly, and continues to do so after the 
patient is taken out. The temperature of a bath for a patient 
with typhoid fever should be between 68° and 5 8° F. ; he should 
be lowered into it by a sheet, and remain in ten minutes, unless 
before that time he shows signs of collapse, he is then lifted back 
to bed, where a blanket is thrown loosely over him. If this 
treatment is adopted the bath ought to be given whenever the 
axillary temperature is 103 F. Sometimes the patient is placed 
in a bath at a temperature of io° F. below his own, and the 
water is cooled by putting in cold water or ice, till it has fallen 
to about 68° F., when he is taken out. Often, instead of having 
a bath, he is sponged with cold water as he lies in bed ; this 
saves trouble, but both sponging and a cold pack (which consists 
of a sheet four folds thick, wrung out in cold water and wrapped 
round the naked body for five or ten minutes) are inferior to a 
bath. Pneumonia is often treated by the application of cold, 
generally by means of ice poultices (pounded ice in a thin, flat, 
india-rubber bag), applied to the chest. The immediate action 
of very cold baths is far the best treatment for any sudden 
hyperpyrexia. 

Cold is applied locally either by cold water in Leiter's coils 
or by ice bags, in a number of conditions, with the object of ar- 
resting inflammation. Thus ice bags are put on the head in 
meningitis, or concussion, and on the knee-joint for acute syno- 
vitis, &c. According to most authorities, cold contracts not only 
the vessels of the sk'n to which it is applied, but by reflex action 
those of the organs underneath it. This explains the application 
of an ice bag to the chest to arrest pulmonary hemorrhage. Cold 
locally applied is, therefore, haemostatic. 

Warm baths, as they liquefy the fatty secretions, are more 
cleansing than cold. Hot baths, like any other application of 



WATER. I I I 

heat, soothe pain ; hence they are useful for rheumatoid 
arthritis and colic, whether renal, biliary, or intestinal. By 
bringing blood to the skin and lessening the amount in the 
internal organs, they relieve muscular spasm, such as we 
find in [spasmodic] stricture of the urethra, colic, laryngismus 
stridulus, other forms of laryngeal spasm, and infantile convulsions. 
In the same way they are of service in weariness from muscular or 
cerebral activity, and are useful in many inflammatory affections ; 
as, for example, a cold in the head. A warm bath immediately 
before going to bed may sometimes cure insomnia. The subse- 
quent increased perspiration makes hot baths and hot packs 
of great value in the various forms of nephritis and in uraemia. 
Great care must be taken, after a hot bath which, has been given 
to induce sweating, to see that the patient is kept warm by being 
wrapped quickly in a hot blanket and put into a warm bed ; if 
not, the cutaneous vessels soon contract, and there is no dia- 
phoresis. A local hot bath has the same effects, but to a less 
degree. A hot foot-bath is often used for a cold in the head, or 
for amenorrhcea. Sponging with hot water will, by the vascular 
dilatation and sweating it causes, reduce the temperature slightly 
in fever. 

A cold bath is one the temperature of which is below 70 F.; 
one between 88° and 98 F. is properly speaking indifferent, but 
it is often called a warm bath. A tepid bath is intermediate be- 
tween warm and cold. Anything above 98 F. is a hot bath. 
Few people can bear a temperature much over 102° F. 

Internal. — The chief therapeutic use of water is to wash out 
the tissues, especially the kidneys, and to keep the urine dilute. 
Some persons who are liable to the formation of gravel or urin- 
ary calculi can, by drinking plenty of pure water, prevent their 
formation, for the minute collections of crystals which are the 
beginning of all calculi, are washed out of the urinary system be- 
fore they have time to grow to any size, and if they are composed 
of uric acid, the. copious drinking of water diminishes the liability 
of their formation, for it decreases the amount of uric acid ex- 
creted. The liability to the formation of gall-stones may also be 



112 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

kept in check by the drinking of plenty of water, [since] then 
the bile becomes less concentrated and flows more quickly. When 
large quantities of water are drunk it should be pure distilled 
water, and should be taken between meals. A glass of cold water 
taken on rising in the morning will with some persons cause the 
bowels to be opened. Warm water is an emetic* 

[II. AQUA HYDROGENII DIOXIDI.— Solution of Hydrogen Di- 
oxide. Synonym.— Solution of Hydrogen Peroxide. 

A slightly acid, aqueous solution of Hydrogen Dioxide (H 2 2 — 33.92), 
containing, when freshly prepared, about 3 per cent., by weight, of the pure Di- 
oxide, corresponding to about 10 volumes of available oxygen. 

Source. — By solution of Barium Dioxide, 300; in cold distilled water 
500, and refrigeration to 50 F. Phosphoric Acid, 96 ; is dissolved in distilled 
water 320. The magma is added to the latter solution and thoroughly mixed, 
being kept acid by Phosphoric Acid. Filter and wash with distilled water. 
Add diluted Sulphuric Acid to the filtrate, and starch, 10 ; by agitation. Filter 
and re-filter until a clear solution is obtained. 

Characters. — A colorless liquid, without odor, slightly acidulous to the 
taste, and producing a peculiar sensation and soapy froth in the mouth ; liable 
to deteriorate by age, exposure to heat, or protracted agitation. Sp. gr. : about 
1.006 to 1. 012. 

Dose, 1 to 3 fl. dr. 

The Action of Hydrogen Dioxide. 

Hydrogen Dioxide readily yields oxygen to all oxidizable 
substances. When taken internally it gives oxygen to the blood, 
stimulates the nervous system and increases urinary secretion. It 
is a non-poisonous antiseptic, destroying organized fermentations 
and liberating oxygen. It decomposes pus and probably de- 
stroys the microbes of suppuration. 

The Therapeutics of Hydrogen Dioxide. 

It seems to have a favorable action in some forms of dyspepsia, 
and improves digestion. In diphtheria it is useful as a cleansing 
agent, but should be used in glass or hard rubber instruments. 



* It is impossible in this book to give more than a brief sketch of baths 
and the drinking of water and mineral waters. Further information will be 
found in works on " General Therapeutics." 



POTASSIUM. I I 3 

Some commercial preparations are very acid, and therefore too 
irritating for this purpose. It is of great value in cleansing 
wounds, fistulous tracts, and for surgical dressings; the cessation 
of frothing indicates the destruction of pus. Hydrogen Peroxide 
should not be injected into a suppurating cavity unless there is a 
free outlet for the escape of the gas which is formed.] 



GROUP II. 

THE ALKALINE METALS. 

Potassium, Sodium, Ammonium, Lithium. 

I. POTASSIUM. 

K = [39.03. 

1. POTASSA. — KOH = 55.99 Synonyms. — Potassium Hydrate. Po- 
tassium Hydroxide. Caustic Potash. 

Source. — Evaporate Liquor Potassse, fuse the residue and pour into clean 
cylindrical moulds which have been previously warmed. 

Characters. — Dry, white, translucent pencils, or fused masses, hard and 
brittle, showing a crystalline fracture ; odorless, or having a faint odor of lye ? 
and of a very acrid and caustic taste. Great caution is necessary in tasting and 
handling it, as it rapidly destroys organic tissues. Exposed to the air, it rapidly 
absorbs Carbon Dioxide and moisture, and deliquesces. 

Impurities. — Organic matter, arsenic, lead, iron, soda, aluminum, cal- 
cium, chlorides, sulphates, silicates, carbonates, nitrates. 

Preparations, 

1. Liquor Potassae. — Solution of Potassa. Synonym. — Solution 
of Potassium Hydrate. An aqueous solution of Potassium Hydrate 
(KOH == 55.99), containing about 5 per cent, of the hydrate. 

Source. — Dissolve Potassium Bicarbonate in distilled water, slake 
the Lime and dissolve in distilled water, boil, strain when cold; when it 
has become clear from subsidence, decant or siphon off the clear solution. 
K 2 C0 3 + Ca(OH) 2 = 2KOH -f- CaC0 3 . Or it may be prepared from 
a solution of Potassa (56 parts of the full strength, directed by the U. S. 
P., 90 per cent.) in distilled water (944 parts)]. 

Characters. — A clear colorless liquid, odorless, having a very 
acrid and caustic taste, and a strong alkaline reaction. Sp. gr. about 
1.036. 

Impurities. — See Potassa. 



I 14 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Incompatibles. — Acids, acid salts, metallic salts and prepara- 
tions of Ammonia, Belladonna, Hyoscyamus and Stramonium, the alka- 
loids of these three being decomposed by Caustic Potash. All alkaloids 
are precipitated by alkalies. 

Dose, 5 to 30 m., freely diluted. 

2. Potassa Cum Calce. — [Potassa with Lime. Potassa, 500 ; 
Lime, 500. Rubbed together in a warm, iron mortar. 

Characters. — A grayish- white powder, deliquescent, having a 
strongly alkaline reaction, and responding to the tests for Calcium and 
Potassium. Solubility. — In diluted hydrochloric acid without leaving 
more than a small residue.] 

Action of Potash. 

External. — It is, if concentrated, a powerful irritant and 
caustic, acting by abstracting water from the part to which it is 
applied. It dissolves fatty matters that may be present on the 
surface. It is antacid, and, if freely diluted, sedative. 

Internal. — Mouth.— As alkalies check alkaline secretions, 
potash momentarily checks the secretion of saliva. 

Stomachs — Because alkalies stimulate acid secretions, the flow 
of gastric juice is excited, if alkalies are given before a meal, 
but if at the end of or after a meal the gastric juice already 
secreted is neutralized. Being readily diffusible, alkalies are 
quickly absorbed. 

Blood. — This is rendered more alkaline. Probably all alka- 
lies circulate in the blood as carbonates, but their action as alka- 
lizers of the blood is very transitory, for they are quickly excreted. 
The amount of haemoglobin, if it is deficient, is said to be 
increased. 

Heart. — Large amounts of salts of potassium are depressant 
to all muscular tissues, and therefore decrease the force of the 
heart, ultimately causing diastolic arrest by direct action on the 
cardiac muscle. 

Kidney. — Potassium salts are diuretic, acting directly on the 
renal epithelium. They are quickly excreted in the urine, ren- 
dering it alkaline, and thus increasing its power of holding uric 
acid in solution. 



POTASSIUM CARBONATE. I I 5 

Respiratory passages. — The bronchial secretion is increased 
in quantity, and it is rendered less viscid. 

Muscle. — The prolonged contraction produced by veratrine, 
or barium salts, is abolished by potassium salts. They are direct 
muscular depressants, and depress also the nervous system, 
especially the brain and spinal cord. 

Therapeutics of Potash. 

External. — Caustic potash is used to destroy lupus, and it 
was formerly employed to make issues. Care must be taken to 
limit its action, for it diffuses very rapidly. Liquor potassae is 
used to dissolve off the fatty matters, and thoroughly cleanse the 
skin before operations, and weaker solutions of it are employed 
to remove the epidermis in certain chronic skin diseases. A 40 
per cent, solution is recommended to remove an in-growing toe- 
nail, which is painted with the fluid, and in a few seconds is so 
softened that much can be scraped off. The procedure is re- 
peated till the nail that remains is sufficiently thin to be re- 
moved with a pair of fine scissors. Dilute solutions, acting as 
sedatives, relieve itching. 

Internal. — To obtain the effects of alkalies upon internal 
organs, the potassium bicarbonate, citrate and acetate are prefer- 
able to potash, for that is apt to irritate the stomach ; but it is 
occasionally used in small doses as a gastric sedative for dyspepsia. 

Toxicology, see Soda. 

2. POTASSII CARBONAS.— [Potassium Carbonate. K 2 C0 3 = 
137.91. Synonym. — Salts of tartar. 

Source. — Pearlash, which is a product of the lixiviation of wood ashes, 
is treated with water, which dissolves little but potassium carbonate, and the 
solution is evaporated. 

Characters. — A white, granular powder, odorless, having a very strong 
alkaline taste; very deliquescent. Solubility. — In 1. 1 parts of water, and in 0.65 
part of boiling water; insoluble in alcohol. 

Impurities. — Sulphates, chlorides, nitrates, cyanides, earthy and metallic 
matters. 

Potassium Carbonate is used in preparing Mistura Ferri Composita and 
Pilulse Ferri Carbonatis (in which Ferrous Carbonate is formed). 

Dose, 5 to 30 gr.] 



Il6 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Action and Therapeutics of Potassium Carbonate. 

These are the same as those of potash ; but the carbonate is 
less caustic. 

3. POTASSII BICARBONAS.— [Potassium Bicarbonate. KHC0 3 
=99.88. 

Source. — Pass Carbon Dioxide through a solution of Potassium Carbonate, 
and let the bicarbonate crystallize out. K 2 C0 3 -f C0 2 -J- H 2 = 2KHCO3. 

Characters. — Colorless, transparent monoclinic prisms, odorless, and 
having a saline and slightly alkaline taste. Permanent in the air. Solubility. 
— In 3.2 parts of water; almost insoluble in Alcohol. 

Impurities. — The carbonate, chlorides, iron. 

Dose, 5 to 60 gr.] 

Action of Potassium Bicarbonate. 

Potassium of bicarbonate is too feebly, caustic to be of any 
use for this purpose. Otherwise its actions are those of pot- 
ash. 

Therapeutics of Bicarbonate of Potassium. . 

Stomach. — Potassium bicarbonate may be given before meals 
to stimulate the flow of gastric juice ; and as it is a gastric 
sedative, it is useful in painful dyspepsia accompanied by a 
scanty secretion of gastric juice. It may be taken after meals if 
too much acid is secreted, and the patient suffers from acid 
eructations, especially if pain be present also ; but it is better treat- 
ment to remove the cause of the dyspepsia. It is not a common 
remedy for dyspepsia, sodium bicarbonate being usually pre- 
ferred. It should not be used as an alkali in cases of poisoning 
by mineral acids, because of the evolution of carbonic acid gas. 

Blood. — Potassium bicarbonate circulates in the blood as 
the carbonate. It was formerly much used in rheumatic fever, 
but is now superseded by salicylates. Probably it did no good. 
In gout it is given to keep the blood thoroughly alkaline, and 
thus to dissolve the uric acid which is in excess in the plasma. 
Many of the mineral waters useful for gout, owe part of the effi- 
cacy to their potassium salts. It is believed to be haematinic, 
that is to say, it is thought to increase the amount of hgemoglo- 



POTASSIUM ACETATE AND CITRATE. II7 

bin ; but as for this purpose it is usually given with iron, its hae- 
matinic power has not yet been proved. 

Kidneys. — It is not much used for its diuretic effect and its 
alkalizing power over the urine, as the vegetable salts are prefer- 
able. 

4. POTASSII AC ETAS. —[Potassium Acetate. KC 2 H 3 2 =97.89. 

Source. — Add Acetic Acid in excess to Potassium Carbonate or Bicarbon- 
ate. Evaporate to dryness and fuse the residue. K 2 C0 3 -f- 2HC 2 H 3 2 = 
2KC 2 H 3 2 -\- H 2 -f- C0 2 . Or, if the bicarbonate, which is preferable, is 
■used, KHC0 3 + HC 2 H 3 2 = KC 2 H 3 2 -f H 2 + C0 2 . 

Characters. — A white powder or crystalline masses of a satiny lustre, 
odorless and having a warming saline taste, very deliquescent. Solubility. — 
In 0.36 parts of water, and in 1.9 parts of Alcohol. 

Impurities. — The carbonate and metallic impurities. 

Dose, 5 to 60 gr.] 

5. POTASSII CITRAS.— [Potassium Citrate. K 3 C 6 H 5 7 -J- H 2 = 

323-59- 

Source. — Neutralize Potassium Carbonate with a solution of Citric 
Acid, and evaporate to dryness. 3K 2 C0 3 -f 2 H 3 C 6 H 5 7 = 2K 3 C 6 H 5 7 -\- 
3 H 2 + 3 C0 2 . 

Characters. — Transparent, prismatic crystals or a white, granular powder, 
odorless and having a cooling, saline taste. Deliquescent on exposure to the 
air. Solubility.— In 0.6 part of water; sparingly in Alcohol. 
Impurities. — Carbonates, chlorides, tartrates. 
Dose, 5 to 30 gr. 

Preparation. 
Liquor Potassii Citratis. — Solution of Potassium Citrate. Syn- 
onym. — Mistura Potassii Citratis. Citric Acid, 6; Potassium Bicarbo- 
nate, 8; water to 100. The acid and the bicarbonate are dissolved 
separately and the solutions mixed. It contains about 9 per cent, of 
anhydrous Potassium Citrate. 
Dose, 1 to 85. 

6. POTASSII CITRAS EFFERVESCENS.— Effervescent Po- 
tassium Citrate. Citric Acid, 63 ; Potassium Bicarbonate, 90 ; Sugar, 47. 

Source. — Powder the ingredients separately, and mix them thoroughly 
in a warm mortar. Dry the resulting, uniform paste rapidly, and, when it is per- 
fectly dry, reduce it to a powder of the desired degree of fineness. H 3 C 6 H 5 T 
+ 3KHCO3 + H 2 = K 8 C e H B 7 + 3C0 2 -f 4 H 2 0. 

Characters. — A fine, white powder, odorless, and having a sweetish, 
saline taste. Solubility. — Completely in water, with effervescence. 

Dose, 5 to 60 gr.] 



I r8 inorganic materia medica. 

Action of Potassium Citrate and Acetate. 

External. — No action. Being neutral, they are not even 
antacid. 

Internal. — These are the least irritating to the stomach of 
all potassium salts ; being neutral, they have no action on gastric 
juice. They circulate as the potassium carbonate. Both are more 
powerfully diuretic than any other potassium salts, and' act by 
directly stimulating the renal cells. They are diaphoretic, 
especially the citrate ; but neither of them causes a great increase 
of the perspiration. How they produce this effect is not certainly 
known. 

Therapeutics of Potassium Citrate and Acetate. 

As neither impair digestion, they are chiefly used for remote 
effects. 

Blood. — They have been largely given for rheumatic fever, 
but are now not employed. Botlj salts are of great value in gout, 
for they keep in solution the excess of uric acid in the plasma. 
They are powerfully anti-scorbutic ; that is to say, they prevent 
scurvy ; but they are not so efficacious as lemon juice, lime juice, 
and fresh vegetables. 

Kidneys. — Although in health the diuresis produced by the 
potassium citrate and acetate is slight, and the urea and other 
solids of the urine are actually decreased, yet clinical experience 
points clearly to the fact that both these salts are, in chronic 
Bright's disease, powerful diuretics. They are frequently used 
in this disease and in feverish conditions, and also to increase the 
amount of urine, and thus to remove pathological fluids in cases 
of pleuritic effusion, ascites, etc. 

They render the urine alkaline, and are much employed for 
this purpose, having the advantage over other potassium salts that 
they do not derange digestion. Not only do they prevent the 
precipitation of uric acid, and thus hinder the formation of uric 
acid gravel, but they will dissolve small uric acid calculi. 
Roberts states that to keep the urine at the alkalinity neces- 
sary for this purpose, 40 to po grains of the acetate or citrate 



POTASSIUM SULPHATE AND BITARTRATE. I 1 9 

should be dissolved in four ounces of water, and taken every four 
hours. If more than this is used, harm is done; for an insoluble 
biurate forms on the surface of the calculus. Owing to the de- 
pressing action of potassium salts, they should be used with care 
in persons suffering from heart disease. 

Skin. — Both these salts may be used in slight pyrexia, such 
as that of a common cold, on account of their diaphoretic 
properties. 

Lungs. — These salts, like the carbonates and bicarbonates, are 
mild saline expectorants, especially suitable for cases of bronchitis, 
with viscid, scanty expectoration, as they increase the secretion 
and lessen the viscidity. The potassium iodide is, however, still 
more efficacious. 

7. POTASSII SULPHAS— [Potassium Sulphate. K 2 S0 4 =i 73.88. 
Source. — Add Potassium Carbonate to Acid Potassium Sulphate, which 

is a bye product of the manufacture of Nitric Acid. 2KHS0 4 -j-K. 2 C0 3 
= 2 K 2 S0 4 -f-C0 2 -fH 2 0. 

Characters. — Hard, colorless, transparent, six-sided, rhombic prisms ter- 
minated by pyramids, or a white powder, odorless, and having a somewhat 
bitter, saline taste. Solubility. — In 9.5 parts of water; insoluble in Alcohol. 

Impurities. — Sodium, Arsenic, Lead, Copper, Zinc, Iron, Aluminum, 
Calcium, Magnesia, Chlorides. 

Dose, y z to 4 dr. 

8. POTASSII BITARTRAS.— Potassium Bitartrate. KH 4 C 4 H0 6 
= 187.67. Synonyms. — Acid Potassium Tartrate; Cream of Tartar. 

Source. — Obtained by purification from crude Tartar (argol) deposited 
on the sides of wine casks during the fermentation of grape juice, and purified 
by boiling with water, filtration through charcoal and crystallization. 

Characters. — Colorless or slightly opaque rhombic crystals ; or a fine, 
white, somewhat gritty powder, odorless, and having a pleasant, acidulous 
taste. Solubility. — In 201 parts of water ; very sparingly soluble in Alcohol. 

Impurity. — Calcium Tartrate, Copper, Lead, Iron. 

Dose, 20 to 60 gr. (diruretic and refrigerant) ; l / z to 4 dr. (purgative). 

It is contained in Pulvis Jalapae Compositus.] 

Action of the Potassium Bitartrate and Sulphate. 

External. — One of these being only slightly acid and the 
other neutral, they have none of the external caustic or antacid 
properties of other potassium salts. 



120 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Internal. — Intestines. — Both salts are typical hydragogue 
saline purges, producing easy, soft, watery motions without 
griping. They abstract fluid from the blood, and cause it to be 
poured into the intestine. Their mode of action has already been 
fully described (see p. 85). 

Liver. — Potassium sulphate is a moderate cholagogue, 
slightly increasing the biliary flow. 

Kidney. — The bitartrate is diuretic, because a small 
amount of it is, in the intestine, converted into a carbonate and 
absorbed, and this acts directly on the renal cells. Hence it 
renders the urine alkaline. But all the sulphate and most of 
the bitartrate is excreted with the faeces, and if, as seems probable, 
some is absorbed by the small intestine in the form in which it is 
taken, it is excreted again into the colon. 

Therapeutics of the Potassium Bitartrate and Sulphate. 

Internal. — Intestines. — These excellent purgatives are fre- 
quently used, especially for habitual sluggishness of the bowels. 
A dose should be dissolved in a tumbler of warm water, and sipped 
during dressing. They may be employed to open the bowels in 
cases, such as dropsy or uraemia, in which we wish to eliminate as 
much fluid as possible. They should for this purpose be given in 
a concentrated form, for then a large amount of fluid will be 
secreted from the intestine to bring the solution of the salt to 
that degree of dilution at which it will act. Compound jalap 
powder [which contains potassium bitartrate] is also much used 
for this class of cases. The potassium sulphate having some 
cholagogue action, is to be preferred when it is believed that the 
liver is at fault. 

Kidney. — The bitartrate is sometimes used as a diuretic in the 
same class of cases as the acetate and citrate. 

9. POTASSII NITRAS. — [Potassium Nitrate. KNCy=ioo.a2. 
Synonyms. — Nitre, Saltpetre. 

SOURCE. — Purified native Saltpetre. 

Characters. — Colorless, transparent, six-sided rhombic prisms or a crys- 
talline powder, odorless, and having a cooling, saline and pungent taste. 
Solubility. — In 3.8 parts of water ; very sparingly soluble in Alcohol. 



POTASSIUM NITRATE. 121 

Impurities. — Sulphates, chlorides and lime, and the metals. 

Dose, 5 to 20 gr. 

// is used to prepare Argenti Nitras Dilutus. 

Preparation. 
Charta Potassii Nitratis. — Potassium Nitrate Paper. Potas- 
sium Nitrate, 200; distilled water, 800. Dissolve the Potassium 
Nitrate in the Distilled Water. Immerse strips of white, unsized paper 
in the solution, and dry them.] 

Action of Potassium Nitrate. 

External. — Nothing noteworthy. 

Internal. — Stomach and Intestines. — It is liable to cause 
nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, symptomatic of the gastritis and 
enteritis produced by it. 

Blood. — Owing to its high diffusion power it quickly passes 
into the blood unchanged. External to the body, nitrates pre- 
vent the coagulation of the blood, or dissolve the clot if it be 
already lormed ; but it is not known that they have any effect on 
the blood in the body. 

Heart. — Potassium nitrate is a powerful cardiac depressant, 
causing the beats to become feeble and fewer. Large doses lead to 
great weakness, fainting, and death. 

Kidneys. — Small doses are diuretic from their direct action 
on the renal cells, but large ones are liable to inflame the urinary 
passages, causing haematuria. The drug is excreted unchanged 
in the urine. 

Skin. — Potassium nitrate is a mild diaphoretic. 

Therapeutics of Potassium Nitrate. 

Internal. — Blood. — On account of its supposed action in 
preventing the coagulation of the living blood, it has been used 
in rheumatic fever and many inflammatory conditions, but it is 
now discarded. Probably, as it is a cardiac depressant, it only 
does harm. 

Kidneys and Skin. — It is sometimes employed as a diuretic 
and diaphoretic in febrile conditions, but the acetate and the 
citrate are much preferable. 



122 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Asthma. — For the treatment of this symptom, potassium nitrate 
paper, in pieces about i^ inches square, is lighted, one at a time, 
and the patient inhales the fumes. Ringer considers it better to 
dip the paper also into a solution of potassium chlorate, and to 
burn a piece large enough to fill a whole room with the fumes. 
This treatment often relieves. 

10. POTASSII CHLORAS.— [Potassium Chlorate. KC10 3 =I22.28. 

Source. — Pass Chlorine into a mixture of Potassium Carbonate and 
slaked lime ; then treat the result in boiling water and separate the Chlorate 
by recrystaliization. K 2 C0 3 +6Ca(OH) 2 -j-6Cl 2 =2KC10 3 4-5CaCl 2 +CaCO s 
+6H 2 0. 

Characters. — Colorless, lustrous monoclinic prisms or plates, or a white 
powder, odorless and having a cooling, saline taste. Easily explodes on tri- 
turation with many substances, especially Sugar, Sulphur, Tannic Acid, Metal- 
lic Sulphides, Phosphorus, Charcoal, and Glycerin. Solubility — In 16.7 parts 
of water; insoluble in absolute Alcohol. 

Impurities. — Calcium Chloride and Lime. 

Dose, 3 to 20 gr.] 

Preparation. 

Trochisci Potassii Chloratis. — [Troches of Potassium Chlorate. 
Potassium Chlorate, 30 ; Sugar, 120; Tragacanth, 6 ; Spirit of Lemon, 
I ; water, a sufficient quantity to make 100 troches. Mix the Sugar 
with the Tragacanth and the Spirit of Lemon by trituration, in a mortar ; 
then transfer the mixture to a sheet of paper, and, by means of a bone 
spatula, mix with it the Potassium Chlorate, being careful, by avoiding 
trituration or pressure, to prevent the mixture from igniting or exploding. 
Lastly, with water, form a mass. Each troche contains 5 grains.] 

Dose, 1 to 6 troches. 

Action of Potassium Chlorate. 

External. — None. 

Internal. — Stomach and Intestines. — Small doses have no 
effect ; poisonous ones produce symptoms similar to those induced 
by the nitrate. 

Blood. — Here also small doses have no effect, but several cases 
of poisoning show that in large doses potassium chlorate disinte- 
grates the red corpuscles, and converts haemoglobin into methae- 
moglobin. The altered blood is passed by the urine, which is, 
therefore, dark colored, and contains granular debris, and thus 



POTASSIUM BICHROMATE. 1 23 

the urine is exactly like that met with in paroxysmal hsemo- 
globinuria. The liver and spleen are enlarged, and the marrow 
of the bones becomes very vascular. Nephritis is induced. Death 
occurs from cardiac weakness. 

As potassium chlorate easily parts with its oxygen, it was 
supposed that it would do so in the blood, but this is not so. It 
is excreted unchanged in the urine. 

Therapeutics. 

This drug is used empirically for stomatitis, tonsillitis, and 
pharyngitis of all varieties, either as lozenges, gargle (10 gr. to 
fj of water or decoction of cinchona), or given to be swallowed 
in solution, for it is then excreted by the saliva. Its action is 
therefore always local. It is especially valuable for ulcerative 
stomatitis. It has been given to women liable to miscarry. 

11. POTASSII PERMANGANAS, see Manganese. 

12. [POTASSII ET SODII TARTRAS, see p. 128.] 

13. POTASSII IODIDUM, see Iodine. 

14. POTASSII BROMIDUM, see Bromine. 

15. POTASSA SULPHURATA, see Sulphur. 

16. POTASSII FERROCYANIDUM.— [Potassium Ferrocyanide. 
K 4 Fe(CN) 6 -f-3H 2 0==42i.76. Synonym. — Yellow Prussiate of Potash.] 

Used to prepare Acidum Hydrocyanicum Dilutum, and Potassii Cyanidum, 
also as a test for iron, copper and zinc. 

17. POTASSII CYANIDUM.— [Potassium Cyanide. KCN=65.oi. 
Characters.— White, opaque, amorphous pieces, or a white, granular 

powder, odorless when perfectly dry, but in moist air exhales the odor of 
Hydrocyanic Acid. The salt is very poisonous. Action similar to that of 
Hydrocyanic Acid.] 
Dose, Jq to i gr. 

18. POTASSII B I CH ROM AS. —[Potassium Bichromate. It 2 C 2 7 == 
293.78. Synonym. — Potassium Bichromate. 

Source. — Finely-ground Chrome -iron ore mixed with Potassium Carbon- 
ate is roasted in a reverberatory furnace, which causes the separation of all iron 
in the form of Ferric Oxide, and the production of Potassium Bichromate. 
Lime or Chalk is added during the roasting to prevent fusion. 2FeOCr 2 3 -(- 



124 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

4K 2 C0 3 +70= Fe 2 3 4-4K 2 Cr0 4 +4C0 2 . After solution in water Sulphuric 
Acid is added and the two salts are separated by crystallization. 2K 2 Cr0 4 -j- 
H 2 S0 4 =K 2 Cr 2 7 +K 2 SO,+H 2 0. 

Characters. — Large, orange-red, transparent, triclinic prisms or four- 
sided tables, odorless, and having a bitter, metallic taste. Solubility. — In 10 
parts of water; insoluble in Alcohol.] 

Impurities. — Sulphates, chlorides, calcium. 

Dose, t l to i gr. 

19. POTASSII HYPOPHOSPHIS, see Phosphorus. 

II. SODIUM. 

Na=23>o. 

1. SODA. — [NaOH=39.86. Synonyms. — Caustic Soda. Sodium Hy- 
drate, Sodium Hydroxide. 

SOURCE. — Dissolve Sodium Carbonate in boiling distilled water. Slake 
the Lime and dissolve in distilled water, boil, strain when cold, set aside until 
clear and remove the clear solution. Evaporate this solution to an oily con- 
sistence and pour into moulds. 

Characters. — Dry, white, translucent pencils, or fused masses, showing 
a crystalline fracture, odorless, and having an acrid and caustic taste.] 

Impurities. — As of Liquor Sodse. (See below.) 

Preparation. 

Liquor Sodse. — [Solution of Soda. Synonym. — Solution of 
Sodium Hydrate. 

Source. — An aqueous solution of Sodium Carbonate is boiled with 
slaked Lime. The supernatant liquid is then siphoned off. Na 2 C0 3 -f- 
Ca(HO) 2 =2NaHO-|-CaC0 3 . Or it may be prepared by dissolving 
Soda, 56 ; in distilled water, 944. The Soda must be of the full 
strength, as directed by the U. S. P. (90 per cent.) 

Characters. —A clear, colorless liquid, odorless, having a very 
acrid and caustic taste and a strong, alkaline reaction. Sp. gr. 1.059. 
Strength about 5 per cent, of the Hydrate. 

Impurities. — Lime, Sulphates, Chlorides, Carbonates. 

Incompatibles. — The same as of Liquor Potassas. 

Dose, 5 to 20 m., freely diluted.] 

Action of Soda. 

It is in all respects save one similar in its action to potash. 
The difference is, that sodium salts are all much less depressant 



SODIUM CARBONATE. 1 25 

to the cardiac, muscular and nervous systems, and therefore far 
less poisonous than potassium salts. 

Therapeutics of Soda. 
It is very little used. Potash is almost always preferred. 

Toxicology. 

Poisoning by caustic alkalies is very rare ; usually it takes place either by 
Potash, Soda, Pearlash (Potassium Carbonate), or soap lees (Sodium Carbon- 
ate). (Both the last are impure. They contain caustic Soda or Potash.) 

Symptoms. — A caustic taste is experienced, and is quickly followed by 
symptoms of gastrointestinal irritation, viz., burning heat in the throat, vomit- 
ing, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain, together with those of depression, viz., a 
feeble quick pulse, and a cold clammy skin. Soon the lips, tongue and 
throat become swollen, soft and red. Post-mortem appearances. — The mucous 
membrane of the mouth, tongue, stomach and oesophagus, and occasionally 
that of the larynx, is excoriated, dark, softened and inflamed. 

Treatment. — Wash out the stomach or give emetics, as Zinc Sulphate, 
20 gr. ; or powdered Ipecacuanha^ 30 gr. ; or Copper Sulphate, 5 gr. in half a 
pint of tepid water; or Vinum Ipecacuanhas, ^j ; or mustard, a tablespoonful 
in half a pint of water; or common salt, 2 tablespoonfuls in half a pint of 
tepid water ; or y 1 ^ gr. of apomorphine hypodermatically. If none of these are 
handy, give plenty of warm water and tickle the back of the throat. Then give 
feeble acids, as Vinegar, diluted Lemon juice, diluted solution of Citric Acid, 
diluted Acetic Acid. Then demulcents as oil, linseed tea, or water and white of 
egg- 

2. SODII CARBONAS.— [Sodium Carbonate, Na 2 C0 3 +ioH 2 0= 
285.45. Synonym. — Sal Soda, Washing Soda. 

Source. — Made thus : — First stage, Sodium Chloride and Sulphuric Acid 
are heated together. 2NaCl+H 2 S0 4 =Na 2 S0 4 +2HCl. Second stage, the 
Sodium Sulphate is heated with Carbon. Na 2 S0 4 -f 4C=Na 2 S-f-4CO. Third 
stage, the Sodium Sulphide is heated with Chalk. NagS-j-CaCOg— Na 2 C0 3 + 
CaS. 

It is also made from Cryolite, a mineral found in Greenland. Cryolite 
and chalk are heated to redness, producing Calcium Fluoride and Sodium 
Aluminate ; the latter is soluble in water, and is decomposed by Carbon 
Dioxide, which precipitates Aluminum Hydroxide, retaining a little Sodium 
Carbonate, while the pure Sodium Carbonate remains in solution. 

Characters, — Colorless, monoclinic crystals, odorless, and having a 
strongly alkaline taste. In dry air the salt effloresces, and if left exposed soon 



126 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

loses about one-half of its water of crystallization and becomes a white 
powder. Solubility. — In 1.6 parts of water; insoluble in Alcohol and in Ether. 

Impurities. — Sulphates, Chlorides and Metals. 

Dose, 5 to 15 gr. 

Preparation. 

Sodii Carbonas Exsiccatus. — Dried Sodium Carbonate. 

Source. — 200 parts of Sodium Carbonate are broken into small 
fragments, allowed to effloresce, then gently heated until it becomes a 
white powder, weighing 100 parts. 

Characters. — A loose, white powder, conforming to the tests and 
reactions given under Sodii Carbonas]. 

Dose, 5 to 15 gr. 

Action and Therapeutics of Sodium Carbonate and the 
Dried Carbonate. 

The same as those of soda, except that the carbonate is less, 
caustic. 

3. SODII BICARBONAS.— [Sodium Bicarbonate. NaHC0 3 = S3. 
85. Synonyms. — Baking Soda, Sodium Sesquicarbonate, Soda. 

Source. — Made from the Carbonate in the same way as the Potassium 
Bicarbonate is made. Na 2 C0 3 + C0 2 + H 2 = 2NaHC0 3 . Or, by the re- 
action of Sodium Chloride and Ammonium Bicarbonate. 

Characters. — A white opaque powder, odorless, and having a cooling, 
mildly alkaline taste. 

Solubility. — In 1 1.3 parts of water; insoluble in Alcohol and Ether. 

Impurities. — The Carbonate. 

Incompatibles. — It is decomposed by Acids and Acid Salts, e. g., Bis- 
muth Subnitrate. 

It is used to prepare Mistura Rhei ed Sodae.] 

Dose, 5 to 60 gr. 

Preparation. 

Trochisci Sodii Bicarbonatis. — [Troches of Sodium Bicarbonate. 
Sodium Bicarbonate, 20 ; Sugar, 60 ; Nutmeg, I ; Mucilage of Traga- 
canth, a sufficient quantity to make 100 troches. Triturate the Nutmeg 
with the Sugar, gradually added, until they are reduced to a fine powder, 
and mix this intimately with the Sodium Bicarbonate ; then with Muci- 
lage of Tragacanth, form a mass. Each Troche contains 3 grains of 
Sodium Bicarbonate.] 

Dose, 1 to 6 troches. 



SODIUM PHOSPHATE. I 27 

Action of Sodium Bicarbonate, 

The same as that of potassium bicarbonate, except that it is 
much more slowly absorbed from the gastro-intestinal tract, 
and like all sodium salts it is only feebly depressant. 

Therapeutics of Sodium Bicarbonate. 

External. — A lotion of 7 grs. to 1 fl. oz. of water is em- 
ployed as a sedative to relieve itching. 

Internal. — Stomach — Its use in disease is very similar to that 
of the corresponding salt of potassium, but on account of the 
two differences just mentioned it is much more frequently given. 
Hence it is a very common ingredient of medicines designed to 
relieve dyspepsia, being taken at or a little before meals to in- 
crease the flow of gastric juice, or some time afterwards to neu- 
tralize excessive acidity in the class of cases in which the patient 
complains of heartburn and acid eructations. Its value is also partly 
due to its sedative action on the gastric nerves, whereby it 
relieves gastric pain, and partly also to its power of liquefying 
tenacious mucus. A very favorite gastric sedative mixture con- 
sists of about 10 grains of sodium bicarbonate, together with 
10 grains of bismuth subcarbonate, suspended in mucilage. 
A grain or two of sodium bicarbonate with a grain of pow- 
dered rhubarb and some sugar, forms a common stomachic 
powder for children. Sodium bicarbonate and gentian are also 
often combined together in stomachic mixtures. 

It is so slowly absorbed, and is, in comparison with potassium 
salts, so poor a solvent of uric acid, that it is rarely used for 
any effects it may have after absorption. 

4. SODII PHOSPHAS.— [Sodium Phosphate. Na 2 HP0 4 -f- I2H 2 

— 357-3 2 - Synonym. — Sodium Orthophosphate. 

Source. — Digest Bone Ash with Sulphuric Acid; Acid Calcium Phos- 
phate is formed. Ca 3 (PC\) 2 + 2H 2 SC\ ^ CaH 4 (POJ 2 + 2CaSC\. Filter 
and add to the solution Sodium Carbonate. CaH 4 (P0 4 ) 2 -|- Na 2 C0 3 = 
Na 2 HP0 4 + H 2 + C0 2 + CaHP0 4 . The filtrate requires to be evaporated 
by crystallization. 

Characters. — Large, colorless, monoclinic prisms, odorless, and having 
a cooling saline taste. The crystals effloresce on exposure to the air, and 



128 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

gradually lose 5 molecules of their water by crystallization. Solubility. — In 5 
parts of water.] 

Impurity. — Lime Phosphate, Sulphates, Carbonates. 

Dose, 5 gr. to 1 oz. 

5. SODII SULPHAS.— Sodium Sulphate, Na 2 S0 4 + ioH 2 = 321.42. 
Synonym. — Glauber's Salt. 

Source. — Neutralize the residue left in the manufacture of Hydrochloric 
Acid from Salt, with Sodium Carbonate. 2NaHS0 4 -f- Na 2 C0 3 = 2Na 2 
S0 4 + C0 2 + H 2 0. 

Characters. — Large, colorless, transparent, monoclinic prisms, [odorless, 
and having a bitter, saline taste, efflorescing on exposure to air, and losing all of 
its water by crystallization.] Solubility. — In 3 parts of water. 

Impurities. — Ammonium and Iron Salts. 

Dose, 1 to 8 dr. 

6. POTASSII ET SODII T A RTR AS. —Potassium and Sodium Tar- 
trate. [KNaC 4 H 4 6 -f 4H 2 0== 258.51. Synonym.— Roehelle Salt. 

Source. — Add Acid Potassium Tartrate to a hot solution of Sodium Car- 
bonate. 2KHC 4 H 4 6 -f Na 2 C0 3 = 2KNaC 4 H 4 6 -f H 2 + C0 2 . 

Characters. — Colorless, transparent, rhombic prisms, or a white pow- 
der, odorless, and having a cooling, saline taste. The crystals are slightly 
efflorescent. Solubility. — In 2 parts of cold water. 

Impurity.— Acid Tartrate Potassium. 

Dose, % to 1 oz. (purgative), 30 to 60 gr. (diuretic). 

Preparation. 

Pulvis Effervescens Compositus. — Compound Effervescing 
Powder. Synonym. — Seidlitz Powder. Take Potassium and Sodium 
Tartrate, 93 gm., and Sodium Bicarbonate, 31 gm. ; mix, divide into 
twelve equal parts, and wrap each part in a separate paper of some pro- 
nounced color, as blue. Tartaric Acid, 27 gm., divide into twelve equal 
parts, and wrap each part in a separate paper of a color distinctly differ- 
ent from that used for wrapping the mixture, as white.] 

Dose. — Dissolve the powder in the blue paper in nearly half a 
pint of cold or warm water, and then add that in the white paper, and 
drink while effervescing. 

Action of Potassium and Sodium Tartrate, Sodium Sul- 
phate and Phosphate. 
Internal. — Intestines. — Owing to the slowness with which, 
compared to the corresponding potassium salts, these sodium 
salts are absorbed, they pass on into the intestines and there act 



SODIUM SULPHATE AND PHOSPHATE. I 20, 

more efficiently than potassium salts. They are typical saline 
purgatives, abstracting fluid from the blood until they form a 
5 per cent, solution, and then exerting a painless laxative effect, 
produce a soft motion about two or three hours after administra- 
tion {see p. 85). The sulphate, which is the most active pur- 
gative, and the phosphate are mild cholagogues. 

Blood and kidneys. — Owing to their tardy absorption the 
action of these salines, as alkalizers of the blood and urine and 
as diuretics, is more feeble than that of the corresponding potas- 
sium salts. 

Therapeutics of Potassium and Sodium Tartrate, Sodium 
Sulphate and Phosphate. 

Internal. — Intestines. — These salts of sodium are some of the 
best purgatives we possess, being especially useful for habitual 
constipation, and for constipation associated with gout, with 
hepatic dyspepsia, or with any of the manifestations of an excess 
of uric acid in the blood or the urine. The best way to take 
them is to dissolve the required amount in half a tumbler of 
lukewarm water, and to drink it in successive small draughts 
while dressing in the morning. The bowels are then usually 
comfortably opened soon after breakfast. These salts, especially 
the phosphate and sulphate, are also cholagogues; these two are 
therefore to be preferred in cases of disease of the liver. The 
sulphate is the most powerful purgative of all. It is the chief con- 
stituent of Carlsbad, Marienbad, Tarasp, Villacabras and [Rubi- 
nat] Condal waters, and it occurs associated with much magnesium 
sulphate in ^Esculap, Hunyadi Janos, Seidlitz, Pullna, Fried- 
richshal, and Kissingen waters. A powder consisting of 30 
grains of each of sodium sulphate and magnesium sulphate and a 
grain of sodium chloride and sodium bicarbonate (dose 1 to 4 
dr.), forms when dissolved a good imitation of yEsculap, Hunyadi 
Janos, and Franz Joseph waters. The phosphate is a milder and 
less unpleasant purgative than the others ; it is o.ften given to 
children.. The effervescing preparation is a palatable form. If 
large doses are used, the evacuations are very watery, and 



130 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

therefore these drugs are useful to remove fluid in cases of dropsy 
or ascites (especially if due to disease of the liver). 

7. SODII CHLORIDUM.- Sodium Chloride. NaCl [= 58.37.] 
Synonym. — Common Salt. 

Source. — Occurs native. 

Characters — [Colorless, transparent, cubical crystals, or a white, crystal- 
line powder, odorless, and having a purely saline taste. Solubility. — In 2.8 
parts of water; almost insoluble in Alcohol. 

Impurities. — Potassium Chloride.] 

Dose, 5 to 60 gr. 

Action of Sodium Chloride. 

Common salt forms an article of diet with all creatures living 
on vegetable food, especially if it contains large amounts of 
potassium, but is not used either by carnivorous animals or by 
tribes living solely on flesh. The importance of it is seen in the 
long distances herbivorous animals will wander to salt licks, and 
by the fact that tribes living on vegetables will go to war for the . 
possession of it. Bunge's explanation of this desire for salt is as 
follows : Blood plasma contains much sodium chloride, vegetable 
foods contain a large amount of potassium salts; when, therefore, 
these salts of potassium reach the blood, potassium chloride and 
the sodium salt of the acid which was combined with the potas- 
sium are formed. This and the potassium chloride are excreted 
by the kidneys, and the blood loses its sodium chloride, which 
loss is therefore made up by taking sodium chloride with the 
food. The deprival of salt leads to general weakness, oedema 
and anaemia, a series of symptoms often seen in France before 
the repeal of the salt tax. Quantities of a tablespoonful and 
upwards act as an emetic, and may also purge. Rectal injections 
of solutions of salt [by removing mucus may make the rectum unfit 
for the habitation of the Oxyuris vermicularis.~\ 

Therapeutics of Sodium Chloride. 

It is occasionally used as an emetic, also as an anthelmintic. 
Bathing in sea water acts as a mild general stimulant. 



SODIUM NITRATE. I3I 

8. SODII SULPHIS.— [Sodium Sulphite. Na 2 S0 3 -f 7 H 2 = 251.58. 

Source. — Saturate a solution of Sodium Carbonate or Caustic Soda with 
Sulphur Dioxide Gas. Na 2 C0 3 -f- S0 2 = Na 2 S0 3 + C0 2 . 

Characters. — Colorless, transparent, monoclinic prisms ; odorless, and 
having a cooling, saline, sulphurous taste; efflorescent in air. Solubility. — 
In 4 parts of water. 

Impurities. — Sulphates and Chlorides.] 

Dose 5 to 60 gr. 

g. SODII BISULPHIS.— [Sodium Bisulphite. NaHS0 3 = 103.86. 

Source. — From Sodium Carbonate or Bicarbonate and Sulphur Dioxide 
Gas. Solubility. — In 4 parts of water; and in 72 parts of Alcohol. 

Characters. — Opaque, prismatic crystals, or a granular powder, exhal- 
ing an odor of Sulphur Dioxide, and having a disagreeable, sulphurous taste. 

Dose, 5 to 30 gr. 

10. SODII HYPOSULPHIS.— Sodium Hyposulphite. Na 2 S 2 + 
5H 2 = 247.64. Synonym. — Sodium Thiosulphate. 

Source. — From Sodium Bisulphite in solution with Metallic Zinc. 3Na- 
HS0 3 + Zn = NaHS0 3 + Na 2 S0 3 -f ZnSO + H 2 0, or pass Sulphurous Anhy- 
dride into a solution of Soda (or Sodium Carbonate) with Salt. 

Characters. — Colorless, transparent, monoclinic prisms, odorless and 
having a cooling, afterwards bitter taste. Solubility. — In 0.65 part of water; 
insoluble in Alcohol.] 

Dose, 5 to 20 gr. 

Action and Therapeutics of Sodium Sulphite, Bisulphite 
and Hyposulphite. 
Sodium sulphite is, in the stomach, decomposed by the acids 
there, and gives off sulphurous anhydride. It may, therefore, be 
given to arrest fermentation. No other action of these salts is 
known. If any remains undecomposed, it is absorbed as a sul- 
phite. They are very rarely given in medicine, but in sufficient 
doses might produce the effects of sodium sulphate. 

11. SODII BROMIDUM, see Bromine. 

12. SODII IODIDUM, see Iodine. 

13. SODII HYPOPHOSPHIS, see Phosphorus. 

14. SODII ARSENAS, see Arsenic. 

15. SODII SULPHOCARBOLAS, see Acidum Carbolicum. 

16. SODII NITRAS.— [Sodium Nitrate. NaN0 3 =84.89. 
Source. — Imported from Chili and Peru. 



132 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Characters. — Colorless, transparent, rhombohedral crystals, odorless, 
having a cooling, saline and slightly bitter taste. Deliquescent in moist air. 
Solubility. — In 1.3 parts of water; soluble in 100 parts of Alcohol. 

Dose, ]/ 2 to 1 oz. 

Action and Therapeutics of Sodium Nitrate. 
Sodium nitrate, in moderate doses, does not directly lessen 
the force or frequency of the pulse, nor lower the animal temper- 
ature, nor increase the elimination of urea ; the large doses acting 
as a purgative, it may produce these effects. It is somewhat 
diuretic, but its chief medicinal virtue is that of a mild 
purgative.] 

17. SODII ACETAS.— [Sodium Acetate. NaC 2 H 3 2 4-3H 2 0= 

135.74. 

Source. — From Sodium Carbonate and Acetic Acid. Na 2 C0 3 -}- 
2HC 2 H 3 2 =2NaC 2 H 3 2 +H 2 0-f C0 2 . Evaporation to crystallization. 

Characters. — Colorless, transparent, monoclinic prisms, or a granular, 
crystalline powder, odorless, and having a cooling saline taste. Efflorescent 
in warm dry air. Solubility. — In 1.4 parts of water; and in 30 parts of Alcohol. 

Impurities. — Silica, Metals, Calcium. 

Dose, 10 to 60 gr. 

Uses. 

Sodium acetate is diuretic, but it is rarely used as a medicine. 
It is employed principally to prepare acetic acid, acetic ether, 
and other compounds.] 

18. SODII BENZOAS, see Acidum Benzoicum. 

19. SODII NITRIS, see Nitrites. 

20. SODII VALERIANAS, see Valeriana. 

21. SODII SALICYLAS, see Acidum Salicylicum. 

22. SODII BORAS, see Acidum Boricum. 

23. SODII CHLORAS.— [Sodium Chlorate. NaC10 3 =io6.25. 
Source. — From Acid Sodium Tartrate and Potassium Chlorate in solution 

by nitration, evaporation and crystallization. NaHC 4 H 4 6 -|~KC10 3 =NaC10 3 -f- 
KHC 4 H 4 6 . 

Characters. — Colorless, transparent, crystals (principally regular cubes 
with tetrahedral facets), or a crystalline powder] ; odorless, having a cooling, 
saline taste. Solubility. — In I.I parts of water; and in 100 parts of Alcohol.] 

Dose, 5 to 15 gr. 



AMMONIUM. I33 



Uses. 



Sodium chlorate has medicinal properties similar to those of 
the potassium chlorate, whilst its greater solubility permits the 
use of stronger solutions. 

24. SODII PYROPHOSPHAS.— [Sodium Pyrophosphate. Na 4 P 2 
7 -f ioH 2 0=445.24. 

Source. — From heating Sodium Phosphate. 2Na 2 HP0 4 + I 2H 2 0— Na 4 
P 2 7 +i 3 H 2 0. 

Characters. — Colorless, transparent, monoclinic prisms, or a crystalline 
powder, odorless, having a cooling, saline and feebly alkaline taste. Solubility. 
— In 12 parts of water; insoluble in Alcohol. 

Uses. 

Sodium pyrophosphate has the same therapeutical action and 
uses as sodium phosphate.] 

Ill, AMMONIUM. 



1. AQUA AMMONIA FORTIOR.— [Stronger Ammonia Water. 
28 per cent, by weight of the gas (NH 3 =i7.oi) dissolved in water. 

Source. — Generate Ammonia Gas by heating Ammonium Chloride with 
Slaked Lime, and pass it into water. 2NH 4 Cl-|-Ca(OH) 2 =2NH 3 -(-2H 2 
0+CaCl 2 . 

Characters. — A colorless, transparent liquid, having an excessively 
pungent odor, and very acrid and alkaline taste and a strongly alkaline reac- 
tion.] Sp. gr. 0.901. 

Impurities. — Ammonium Chloride, Sulphide and Sulphate. 

Dose, 3 to 6 m., well diluted. 

Preparation. 

[Spiritus Ammoniae. — Spirit of Ammonia. Contains 10 per cent., 
by weight, of the gas dissolved in Alcohol. 
Dose, 10 to 60 m.] 

2. AQUA AMMONIA. — [Ammonia Water. (10 per cent, by weight 
of the gas (NH 3 =i7.oi) dissolved in water). 

Source. — The same as for Aqua Ammoniae Fortior. 
Characters. — Like, but less pungent than, the strong solution. Sp. gr. 
0.960. 

Dose, 10 to 20 m., well diluted. 



134 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Preparations. 

i. Linimentum Ammoniae.— Ammonia Liniment. Synonym. 
—Volatile Liniment. Ammonia Water, 350; Alcohol, 50; Cotton 
seed oil, 600.] 

2. Spiritus Ammoniae Aromaticus, see Ammonium Carbonate. 

Action of Solutions of Ammonia. 

External. — A solution of ammonia produces rubefaction 
with a sensation of heat, and, if strong, a sensation of pain and 
burning. If the vapor is confined, it causes vesication. 

Internal. — Nose. — When inhaled, the vapor of ammonia is 
irritating to the nose and air passages, causing a pungent sensa- 
tion and sneezing. The eyes and nose water. The pulse and 
respiration are reflexly accelerated. If very concentrated, 
it produces swelling and inflammation of the nose, glottis and 
respiratory tract. 

Stomach. — Like other alkalies, given before meals ammonia 
increases the flow of gastric juice ; given after meals, it neutral- 
izes it. It dilates the gastric vessels, and produces a feeling of 
warmth in the epigastrium. It reflexly stimulates the heart and 
respiration. 

Blood. — Its action on the blood is not known; but it is sup- 
posed to diminish its local liability to clot in cases of thrombo- 
sis, and to dissolve [it if it is] already formed. 

Heart. — Ammonia causes a rise of blood-pressure with an 
increased pulse rate, due probably to stimulation of the accelera- 
tor mechanism. 

Respiration. — It increases greatly the frequency of respira- 
tion, probably from stimulation of the respiratory centre in the 
medulla. 

Nervous system. — The brain is unaffected, and the nerves also, 
except for the tingling produced when a strong solution of 
ammonia is locally applied. The motor functions of spinal cord 
are greatly stimulated by large doses, hence the convulsions in 
animals poisoned by this drug. 

Kidneys. — Ammonia and its salts are oxidized in the body, 



AMMONIUM CARBONATE. 135 

and the nitric acid, uric acid, and urea in the urine are increased, 
and thus the acidity of this fluid is slightly heightened. 

Therapeutics of Solutions of Ammonia. 

External. — The liniment is used as counter-irritant in 
numerous conditions, such as chronic joint disease, chronic 
rheumatism, etc , and is often rubbed on the chest in bronchitis. 
Ammonia is a very uncertain vesicant. Weak solutions of it are 
often applied to the bites of insects. Aqua ammonias is very 
valuable when held to the nose of any one who has fainted, for it 
almost instantly, reflexly produces its stimulating effect on the 
heart and respiration. 

Internal. — Ammonia in some form may be given before 
meals as a gastric stimulant in dyspepsia. Sal volatile {see below) 
is often used for this purpose, and also for its general stimulating 
effect on the cardiac, respiratory and spinal systems, especially 
in sudden collapse from any cause. Ammonia has been injected 
subcutaneously in cases of snake-bite, 

3. AMMONII CARBONAS.— [Ammonium Carbonate. NH 4 HC0 3 .- 
NH 4 NH 2 C0 2 — 156.77. Synonym. — Bakers' Ammonia, Hartshorn. 

Source. — A mixture of Ammonium Sulphate or Chloride and Calcium 
Carbonate is subjected to sublimation and resublimation. 4NH 4 Cl-|-2CaC03= 
2CaCl 2 - r -NH 4 HC0 3 . NH 4 NH 2 C0 2 +NH 3 -f-H 2 0. 

Characters. — White, hard, translucent, striated masses, having a strongly 
ammoniacal odor without empyreuma, and a sharp, saline taste. On exposure 
to the air it loses both Ammonia and Carbonic Acid, becoming opaque, and 
is finally converted into friable, porous lumps, or a white powder.] Solubility. — 
Slowly but completely in 5 parts of water. 

Impurities. — Sulphates and Chlorides. 

Dose, 2 to 15 gr. (stimulant or expectorant). 

Preparation. 

Spiritus Ammoniae Aromaticus. — [Aromatic Spirits of Ammo- 
nia. Synonym. — Sal Volatile. Ammonium Carbonate, 34 ; Ammonia 
Water, 90 ; Oil of Nutmeg, 1 ; Oil of Lemon, 10; Alcohol, 700; Oil of 
Lavender Flowers, I ; water to make 1000. Sp. gr. about 0.905,] 

Dose, y z to 2 fl. dr. 

Spiritus Ammonice Aromaticus is used in making Tinctura Guaiaci Am- 
moniata and Tinctura Valerianae Ammoniata. 



I36 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Action and Therapeutics of Ammonium Carbonate. 

The external and internal actions of the carbonate are the 
same as those of Aqua Ammoniae. It is not used externally, but 
Spiritus Ammoniae Aromaticus is inhaled for its reflex effects, is 
taken as a gastric stimulant and carminative in dyspepsia, and 
as a cardiac and general stimulant in syncope, etc. The 
carbonate is, in addition, an excellent expectorant, stimulating 
the respiratory movements, and by its general stimulating effect 
aiding the expulsion of thick mucus. It is most used for bron- 
chitis in children and the aged. It is an emetic acting directly 

on the stomach. 

Toxicology. 

Liquor Ammoniae and the Carbonate produce symptoms like other alka- 
lies, but are more corrosive. The air-passages are often inflamed, and the inha- 
lation of the vapor has been known to kill from this cause. 

Treatment as for other alkalies. 

4. AMMONII CHLORIDUM.— [Ammonium Chloride. NH 4 C1= 
53.38.] Synonym. — Sal Ammoniac. 

Source. — [Neutralize Gas Liquor with Sulphuric Acid, converting all to 
Ammonium Sulphate. 2NH 4 HO+H 2 S0 4 =(NH 4 ) 2 S0 4 +2H 4 0.' After crystal- 
lization, sublime with Sodium Chloride. (NH 4 )2S0 4 -f 2NaCl=2NH 4 Cl+ 
Na 2 S0 4 . 

Characters. — A white, crystalline powder, without odor, having a cool- 
ing, saline taste, and permanent in the air, but volatile when heated. Solu- 
bility. — In 3 parts of water; almost insoluble in Alcohol. 

Impurities. — Chiefly tarry matters. 

Dose, 1 to 30 gr. 

Preparation. 

Trochisci Ammoni Chloridii. — Troches of Ammonium Chloride. 
Ammonium Chloride, 10; Extract of Glycyrrhiza, 25 ; Tragacanth, 12 ; 
Sugar, 50 gm. ; Syrup of Tolu, a sufficient quantity to make 100 troches. 
Each troche contains two grains. 

Dose, 1 to 6 troches.] 

Action of Ammonium Chloride. 
Locally applied Ammonium Chloride increases the secretion 
of mucous membranes, and to a slight extent it does the same 
after absorption. It is a feeble cholagogue, diaphoretic, and 
diuretic. 



AMMONIUM NITRATE. I 37 

Therapeutics of Ammonium Chloride. 
It is a very favorite remedy for local application, by means of 
inhalation of the vapor, to increase the secretion of mucus from 
the pharynx, Eustachian tubes, larynx, trachea and bronchi in 
cases of chronic pharyngitis, otitis media, laryngitis, and bron- 
chitis. Many forms of apparatus for its inhalation are in the 
market. In most of them it is generated by the action of hydro- 
chloric acid on ammonia. It is occasionally given by the mouth 
either as a cholagogue, gastric stimulant, diaphoretic, diuretic, or 
expectorant, but it is too feeble to be recommended, and it is very 
nasty ; the taste may to some extent be concealed by liquorice. 
Some authorities consider it to be, in large doses, a specific for 
neuralgia. It is not a general stimulant. 

5. LIQUOR AMMONII ACETATIS.— [Solution of Ammonium 
Acetate. Synonym. — Spirit of Mindererus. An aqueous solution of Ammo- 
nium Acetate (NH 4 C 2 H 3 2 =76.87), containing about 7 per cent, of the Salt, 
together with small amounts of Acetic and Carbonic Acids. 

Source. — Ammonium Carbonate is gradually added to diluted Acetic 
Acid until it is neutralized. 

Incompatiblf.s. — Potash, Soda, and their Carbonates, Acids, Lime 
Water, Lead and Silver Salts. 

Liquor Ammonii Acetatis is used in preparing Liquor Ferri et Ammonii 
Acetatis.] 

Dose, 2 to 8 fl. dr. 

Action and Therapeutics of Ammonium Acetate. 
It is a mild diaphoretic and diuretic, and is used only for 
these effects. It probably acts in both cases, either on the secre- 
tory cells or the nerves connected with them. It does not irritate 
the kidneys,, but increases both the water and the solids excreted. 
It is employed in Bright' s disease as a diuretic, and in febrile 
conditions as a diaphoretic. 

6. AMMONII BENZOAS, see Acidum Benzoicum. 

7. AMMONII BROMIDUM, ^Bromine. 
[8. AMMONII IODIDUM, see Iodine.] 

9. AMMONII NITRAS.— [Ammonium Nitrate. NH 4 N0 3 =79.c.. 
Source. — By treating commercial Ammonium Carbonate with Nitric 



I38 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Acid, filtration and evaporation. NH 4 HC0 3 NH 4 NH 2 C0 2 + 3HNO3 = 
3NH 4 N0 3 + 2 C0 2 + H 2 0. 

Characters. — Colorless crystals, generally in the form of long, thin 
rhombic prisms, or in fused masses, without odor, having a sharp, bitter taste, 
and somewhat deliquescent. Solubility.— -In 0.5 part of water; and in 20 
parts of Alcohol. 

Ammonium Nitrate is used to prepare nitrous oxide gas, freezing mixtures 
and artificial cold applications.] 

10. AMMONII VALERIANAS, see Valeriana. 

IV. LITHIUM. 

Li=7.oi. 

1. LITHII CARBONAS.- [Lithium Carbonate. 1^0)3=73.87. 
Source. — By action of Lithium Chloride upon Ammonium Carbonate, 

filtration, washing with Alcohol, and drying. 2LiCl-|-NH3HC03=Li 2 C03-|- 
NH 4 C1+HC1. 

Characters. — A light, white powder, odorless, and having an alkaline 
taste ; permanent in the air. Solubility. — In 80 parts of water ; insoluble in 
Alcohol. 

Impurities. — Lime, Aluminum. 

Dose, 2 to 10 gr, 

2. LITHII CITRAS.— Lithium Citrate. Li 3 C 6 H 5 7 =20Q.57. 
Source. — By action of Lithium Carbonate upon Citric Acid, evaporation 

and crystallization. 3LLCO3 -f 2H 3 C 6 H 5 7 = 2Li 3 C 6 H 5 7 + 3H 2 + 3C0 2 . 

Characters. — A white powder, odorless and having a cooling, faintly 
alkaline taste; deliquescent on exposure to air. Solubility. — In 2 parts of 
water ; almost insoluble in Alcohol or Ether. 

Dose, 5 to 20 gr.] 

3. [LITHII CITRAS EFFERVESCENS.— Effervescent Lithium 
Citrate. 

Source. — Lithium Carbonate, 70 ; Sodium Bicarbonate, 280 ; Citric Acid, 
370; Sugar, a sufficient quantity, to 1 000. Triturate the Citric Acid with 
Sugar, and dry the mixture thoroughly. Then incorporate with it, by tritura- 
tion, the Lithium Carbonate and Sodium Bicarbonate, and enough Sugar to 
make the product weigh 1 000 parts. 

Characters. — A white powder having a cooling, saline and sweetish 
taste. Solubility. — Completely in water with effervescence. 

Dose, 10 to 45 gr.] 

Action. 

These lithium salts closely resemble in their action the corres- 
ponding potassium salts, but, as very little lithium is sufficient to 



CALCIUM. 139 

form a salt with uric acid, and urate of lithium is very soluble, 
they are more powerful solvents of uric acid. They are also 
more efficacious as diuretics and render the urine very alka- 
line. Large doses are general depressants like potassium salts. 

Therapeutics. 
Salts of lithium are much used internally in acute and chronic 
gout, to promote the elimination of sodium urate. They are 
also given as solvents to patients suffering from uric acid gravel 
and calculus. Those suffering from gravel often derive great 
benefit. A lotion of the carbonate (4 gr. to ^ j of water) applied 
on lint and covered with gutta-percha relieves the pain of gouty 
inflammation, promotes the healing of gouty ulcers, and aids the 
disappearance of tophi, [although it does seem to prevent their 
formation.] Lithium salts should always be freely diluted. The 
citrate has the advantage of greater solubility. 

4. LITHII BENZOAS- [see Acidum Benzoicum.] 

5. [LITHII BROMIDUM, see Bromine.] 

6. [LITHII SALICYLAS,^ Acidum Salicylicum.] 



GROUP III. 

METALS OF THE ALKALINE EARTHS. 

Calcium, [Strontium, Barium,] Magnesium, Cerium, 
Aluminium. 

I. CALCIUM. 

Ca=3 9 . 9 i. 

1. CRETA PR^EPARATA.- [Prepared Chalk. CaC0 3 =99.76. 

Source.— From Chalk by levigation, elutriation and drying. Synonym. — 
Drop Chalk. 

Characters. — A white, amorphous powder, often moulded into conical 
drops, odorless and tasteless ; permanent in the air. Solubility, — Almost in- 
soluble in water; insoluble in Alcohol. 

Incompatibles. — Acids and sulphates.] 

Dose, 10 to 60 gr. 



I4O INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Preparations. 

1. Pulvis Cretae Compositus. — Compound Chalk Powder. Pre- 
pared Chalk, 30; powdered Acacia, 20; powdered Sugar, 50. 

Dose, 5 to 60 gr. 

2. Mistura Cretae. Chalk Mixture. Compound Chalk Powder, 
200; Cinnamon Water, 400; water to make 1000. 

Dose, 2 to 4 fl. dr. 

3. Hydrargyrum cum Creta, see Hydrargyrum. 

4 Trochisci Cretae. Troches of Chalk. Prepared Chalk, 25'; 
Acacia, 7 ; Spirit of Nutmeg, 3; Sugar, 40; water to make 100 troches. 
Each troche contains 4 grains. 

Dose, ad libitum. 

2. CALCII CARBONAS PRiECIPITATUS.— [Precipitated Cal- 
cium Carbonate. CaC0 3 =99.76. 

Source. — From Calcium Chloride and Sodium Carbonate, drying the 
precipitate. CaCl 2 +Na 2 C0 3 =2NaCl+CaC0 3 . 

Character. — A fine, white powder, odorless and tasteless, permanent in 
the air. Solubility. — Nearly insoluble in water.] 

Dose, 5 to 60 gr. 

Action of Calcium Carbonate. 

External. — It is mildly astringent and helps to dry moist 
surfaces 

Internals. — Stomach and Intestines. — Calcium carbonate is 
antacid. It is a mild but certain astringent. How it acts as 
an astringent is unknown. It is excreted unchanged in the faeces. 

Kidneys. — Because certain mineral waters containing calcium 
bicarbonates and sulphates amongst other salts, have been used 
successfully in cases of urinary gravel and calculi, it has been 
asserted that these salts are diuretic, and solvent for uric acid, but 
it is more likely that the beneficial effects of these waters are due 
merely to the large amount of water drunk; [at least,] there is no 
proof that it is due to the salts. Such waters are those of Con- 
trexeville, Vittel, [Clarendon, and Waukesha.] 

Therapeutics of Calcium Carbonate. 

External. — Prepared chalk forms an excellent dusting 
powder for moist eczema. 



CALCIUM CARBONATE. I4I 

Internal. — Alimentary canal. — Because of its mechanical 
action it is a good tooth powder. Mistura cretae and pulvis 
cretae compositus, particularly the former, are very valuable for 
checking mild diarrhoea, especially in children. 

Kidneys. — There is no doubt that persons passing gravel or 
urinary calculi, especially if composed of uric acid, are benefited 
by drinking the waters of Contrexeville and Vittel. They should 
be taken in quantities of 3 to 6 pints a day and between meals, 
to avoid the large amount of fluid causing indigestion. At 
Contrexeville the great bulk is drunk before breakfast. 

3. CALX.— [Lime. CaO = 55.87. 

Source. — Made by burning white marble, oyster shells, or the purest 
varieties of natural Calcium Carbonate, to expel Carbonic Acid Gas. 

Characters. — Hard white or grayish-white masses, which in contact 
with air gradually attract moisture and Carbon Dioxide, and fall into a white 
powder (slaked lime) ; odorless ; of a sharp, caustic taste ; readily absorb. 
Solubility* — In 750 parts of water; insoluble in alcohol. 

Preparations. 

1. Liquor Calcis. — Solution of Lime. Synonyms, — Lime Water. 
Solution of Calcium Hydrate. : 

Source. — Made from slaked lime by solution. A saturated, 
aqueous solution of Calcium Hydrate. The percentage of Calcium 
Hydrate varies with the temperature, being somewhat over 0.17 per 
cent, at 59 F., and diminishing as the temperature rises. 

Dose, 1 to 8 fl. dr.] 

2. [Linimentum Calcis. Lime Liniment. Synonym. — Carron 
Oil. Solution of Lime, Linseed Oil, of each, one volume. Mix them 
by agitation. 

3. Syrupus Calcis. — Syrup of Lime. Lime, 60; sugar, 400; 
water, to 1005. 

Dose, 15 to 60 m. 

4. Potassa cum Calce. — See Potassium, p. 114]. 

Action of Lime and Slaked Lime. 

External. — Slaked lime is caustic. Lime water is astringent. 

Internal. — Alimentary tract. — Lime is antacid. It prevents. 

milk from curdling in the stomach. It allays vomiting, and 



142 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

is an antidote for poisoning by mineral acids, oxalic acid, and 
zinc chloride. It acts as a mild intestinal astringent. 

Therapeutics. 

External. — Slaked lime, employed as a caustic, is usually 
mixed with caustic potash, when it forms Vienna paste (Potassa 
cum Cake), used to destroy warts and other small growths. Lime 
water applied to weeping eczema is especially serviceable if mixed 
with glycerin. Linimentum Calcis is very valuable for burns. 

Internal. — Lime water is much used to mix with milk to 
prevent its curdling in the stomach, especially when, as is often 
the case with children, the curds cause vomiting. It is difficult 
to understand how it acts, for, although lime water contains so 
little lime, it is often efficacious. In severe cases of infantile 
vomiting equal parts of milk and lime water may be ordered. 
Lime water will check slight diarrhoea. It is a useful injection 
for threadworms, for leucorrhcea, and for gleet. 

4. CALCII PHOSPHAS PR^CIPITATUS.— [Precipitated Cal- 
cium Phosphate. Ca 3 (P0 4 ) 2 = 309.33. Synonym. — Precipitated Lime Phos- 
phate. 

Source. — Made from Bone Ash (impure Calcii Phosphas) digested and di- 
luted Hydrochloric acid, made alkaline with solution of Ammonia, and by 
precipitation. 

Characters. — -A light, white amorphous powder, odorless and tasteless, 
and permanent in the air. Solubility. — Almost insoluble in water. 

Dose, 5 to 30 gr. 

Preparation. 

Syrupus Calcii Lactophosphatis. — Syrup of Calcium Lacto- 
phosphate. Precipitated Calcium Carbonate, 25 ; Phosphoric Acid, 36 ; 
Lactic Acid, 60; Orange Flower Water, 25 ; Sugar, 700; water, to 1000. 

Dose, 1 to 2 fl. dr.] 

Lherapeutics of Calcium Phosphate. 

As it forms such an important constituent of bones, and as 
the bones of animals whose diet contains no lime salts are soft, 
calcium phosphate has been given for rickets, and for the 
anaemia and feebleness often seen in young children, but it is not 
certain that it does any good. 



CALCIUM CHLORIDE. I43 

5. CALX SULPHURATA.— [Sulphurated Lime. Synonym.— Crude 
Calcium Sulphide. A mixture containing at least 60 per cent, of Calcium 
Monosulphide (CaS = 71.89), together with unchanged Calcium Sulphate 
(CaSC\ = I35-73)) an d Carbon, in varying proportions. 

Source. — Obtained by heating a mixture of Calcium Sulphate, 70; Char- 
coal, 10; and Starch, 2. 

Character. — A pale gray powder, exhaling a faint odor of Hydrogen 
Sulphide, having a nauseous, alkaline taste, and gradually decomposed by ex- 
posure to air. Solubility. — Very slightly in water; insoluble in alcohol.] 

Dose, T iy to \ gr. 

Therapeutics of Calx Sulphurata. 

It has been given internally in cases of suppuration, but it 
probably has no influence on the process. 

6. CALCII CHLORIDUM.— [Calcium Chloride. CaCl 2 -=110.65. 
Calcium Chloride rendered anhydrous by fusion at its lowest possible tempera- 
ture. 

Source. — Obtained by neutralizing Hydrochloric Acid with Calcium Car- 
bonate and evaporating. CaC0 3 -f-2HCl=CaCl 2 -|-C0 2 -|-H 2 0. 

Characters. — White, slightly translucent, hard fragments, odorless, 
having a sharp saline taste, and very deliquescent. Solubility. — In 1.5 parts of 
water and in 8 parts of alcohol.] 

Dose, 5 to 20 gr. 

Therapeutics of Calcium Chloride. 

It used to be given with the object of reducing enlarged 
lymphatic glands, but is not now employed. 

7. CALX CHLORATA, see Chlorine. 

8. CALCII HYPOPHOSPHIS, see Phosphorus. 

9. CALCII BROMIDUM, see Bromine. 

10. [CALCII SULPHAS EXSICCATUS.— Dried Calcium Sul- 
phate. Synonym. — Dried Gypsum. 

Source. — A powder containing about 95 per cent., by weight, of Calcium 
Sulphate (CaS0 4 =i35.73), and about 5 per cent, of water, prepared from the 
purer varieties of native Gypsum (CaSO^-f^E^O— 171.65), by heating until 
about three-fourths of the water has been expelled. 

Characters. — An amorphous white powder, without taste or odor, and 
when mixed with half its weight of water it forms a smooth paste, which rapidly 
hardens. Solubility.- In about 410 parts of water; insoluble in alcohol. 



44 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDIC A. 



Uses. 



Dried Calcium Sulphate is used for making casts of deformi- 
ties and injuries, and for making immovable bandages and appa- 
ratus for injuries and diseases when immobilization is necessary.] 

II. [STRONTIUM. 

Sr.=8 7 . 3 . 

i. STRONTII LACTAS.— Strontium Lactate. Sr(C 3 H 5 3 ) 9 -j-3H 2 
=318.76. 

Source. — From the carbonate, by dissolving it in lactic acid somewhat 
diluted with water; if necessary heat is applied to effect solution. After filtra- 
tion the solution is evaporated with moderate heat, to dryness. SrC0 3 4-2HC 3 
H 5 3 =Sr(C 3 H 5 3 ) 2 +H 2 0+C0 2 . 

Characters. — A white, granular powder or crystalline nodules, odorless 
and having a slightly bitter taste. Permanent in the air. Solubility. — In about 
4 parts of water ; soluble in alcohol. 

Incompatibles. — Solution of carbonates and sulphates, Potassium Chro-' 
mate. 

Impurities. — Barium Carbonate, Oxalates, metallic and organic impuri- 
ties. 

Dose, X to 2 & T - 

The Action of Strontium Lactate. 

The Strontium Salts were demonstrated by Laborde to be harm- 
less to animals and men. He also ascribed to them a diuretic 
action. If given for some time and in large quantities they im- 
pair gastric digestion and subsequently the general nutrition. The 
lactate reduces the amount of albumin in albuminuria, and it 
is claimed to have a sedative effect on the heart in diseases of the 
valves and of the muscular tissue. It also checks fermentation 
and putrefaction in the small intestines. 

The Therapeutics of Strontium Lactate. 

The Strontium Salts in gastric affections improve the appetite 
and facilitate digestion,, and is useful in chronic intestinal catarrh. 
The lactate is diuretic and is useful in albuminuria, due to renal 
atony, but not in uraemia, nor in interstitial nephritis, nor in the 
high fever of acute parenchymatous nephritis. In the chronic. 






BARIUM. 145 

form due to scrofula, rheumatism or gout it is useful. It has had 
a decidedly beneficial action in diabetes of hepatic origin, and in 
cirrhosis of the liver. 

2. STRONTII BROMIDUM, see Bromine. 

3. STRONTII IODIDUM, see Iodine.] 

III. BARIUM. 

Ba.= i36.9. 

[BARII DIOXIDUM.— Barium Dioxide. Ba0 2 =i68.82. Synonym.— 
Barium Peroxide. 

Source. — By conducting oxygen over Barium Oxide, heated to full red- 
ness. 

Characters. — A heavy, grayish-white, or pale, yellowish-white, amor- 
phous, coarse powder, odorless and tasteless. When exposed to the air it 
slowly attracts moisture and Carbon Dioxide, and is gradually decomposed. 
Solubility. — Almost insoluble in water. 

Impurities. — Sulphates and Nitrates. 

Incompatibles. — Hydrochloric, Phosphoric and most other mineral acids. 

Barium Dioxide is used in preparing Aqua Hydrogenii Dioxidi.] 

The Action of Barium Dioxide. 
It causes the cardiac contractions to become slower and more 
forcible, acting like Digitalis. The blood-vessels are constricted, 
and the blood-pressure rises. The plain muscular fibres of the 
intestine may be excited, and the peristalsis is increased. In these 
respects it resembles Ergot as well as Digitalis. It acts like Vera- 
trine when applied locally to voluntary muscles, prolonging the 
contraction ; but this effect is done away with by the application 
of Potassium Salts. 

The Therapeutics of Barium Dioxide. 
It is not often given, but it has been used for mitral insuffi- 
ciency accompanied by irregularity of the heart, for haemor- 
rhage, and as a stimulant in atony of the bladder or intestine. 
Formerly it was given in nervous diseases. 

Toxicology. 
Poisonous doses cause salivation, thirst, vomiting, purging, difficulty of 
breathing, and, from its action on the spinal cord, paralysis of the limbs. The 
heart is arrested in systole. 
13 



I46 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

[Treatment. — Poisoning should be treated by non-irritant emetics and 
draughts of weak solutions of Sodium or Magnesium Sulphate, followed by 
albuminous drinks, and diffusible stimulants.] 

IV. MAGNESIUM. 

M g-= 2 4-3- 

1. MAGNESII SULPHAS.— [Magnesium Sulphate. MgSO+H 2 
=245.84. Synonym. — Epsom Salt. 

Source. — It is obtained from (1) Dolomite (native Calcium and Magne- 
sium Carbonate); or (2) Magnesite (native Magnesium Carbonate), by the 
action of Sulphuric Acid. ( 1) MgC0 3 -f MgS0 4 f 2H 2 S0 4 =■ CaS0 4 + MgS 
4 + 2H 2 0, or (2) MgCO s 4-H 2 S0 4 =MgS0 4 +H 2 0+C0 2 . Treat with water, 
filter and evaporate the filtrate to crystallization. 

Characters. — Small, colorless, rhombic prisms or acicular crystals, very 
like Zinc Sulphate, but moister, and of a bitter taste, whilst that of the Zinc 
Salt is metallic. Solubility. — In 1.5 parts of cold water. 

Incompatibles. — Alkaline Carbonates, Phosphoric Acid, Phosphates, 
Lime Water, Lead Acetate and Silver Nitrate. 

Impurities. — Lime and iron.] 

Dose, % to 1 oz. 

Preparation. 

1. Infusum Sennae Compositum. — See Senna. 

2. MAGNESII CARBONAS.— Magnesium Carbonate. (MgC0 3 ) 4 . 
Mg(OH) 2 +5H 2 0=484.62. 

Source. — Mix strong, boiling aqueous solutions of Magnesium Sulphate 
and Sodium Carbonate, and evaporate, 4MgS0 4 -f-4Na 2 C0 3 -(-H 2 0= (MgC0 3 ) 4 , 
Mg(OH) 2 -f 4Na 2 S0 4 -fC0 2 . Digest with water, filter and dry. 

Characters. — Light, white friable masses, or a light, white powder, 
without odor, and having a slightly earthy taste. Solubility. — Almost insoluble 
in water. 

Impurities. — Lime, Sulphates. 

Dose, X to 2 ^ r - 

Preparations. 

1. Magnesii Citras Effervescens. — [Effervescent Magnesium 
Citrate. Magnesium Carbonate, 10 ; Citric Acid, 46; Sodium Bicarbo- 
nate, 34 ; Sugar, 8 ; Alcohol and distilled water, a sufficient quantity. 

CHARACTERS. — A white, coarsely granular salt, without odor and 
having a mildly acidulous, refreshing taste, deliquescent. Solubility. — 
With copious effervescence, in 2 parts of water; almost insoluble in 
Alcohol 

Dose, \£ to 1 oz. 



MAGNESIA. 147 

2. Liquor Magnesii Citratis. — Solution of Magnesium Citrate.] 
Dissolve Magnesium Carbonate, 15 ; in a solution of Citric Acid, 30 ; add 
Syrup of Citric Acid, 60; then crystals of Potassium Bicarbonate, 25. 
Cork and wire immediately. It effervesces when uncorked. 

Dose, 2 to 8 fl. oz. 

3. MAGNESIA PONDEROSA.— Heavy Magnesia. [Mg0 = 4O.26. 
Source. — From Magnesia by trituration for some time in the presence of 

strong Alcohol, drying, and rubbing to powder. 

Characters. — A white, dense and very fine powder, which should cor- 
respond to the tests for Magnesia, from which it differs in not readily uniting 
with water to form a gelatinous hydrate.] 

Dose, 5 to 60 gr. 

4. MAGNESIA.— Light Magnesia. Mg.O [= 40.26. Synonym.— Cal- 
cined Magnesia. 

Source. — [By heating the official Magnesium Carbonate the water and 
Carbon Dioxide are given off, and Magnesium Oxide remains behind. — 
4 MgCo 3 ).Mg(OH) 2 + 5 H 2 = 5 MgO + 4 C0 2 + 6H 2 0]. 

Characters. — A white, very light and very fine powder, without odor, 
and having an earthy, but not a saline taste. Solubility. — Almost insoluble in 
water; insoluble in Alcohol. 

Dose, 5 to 60 gr. 

Preparations. 

[1. Ferri Oxidum Hydratum cum Magnesia. See Iron. 
2. Pulvis Rhei Compositus. See Rhubarb.] 

Action of Magnesium Salts. 

External. — None. 

Internal. — Stomach and intestines. — Magnesia and the mag- 
nesium carbonate are antacid, acting in many ways like the 
potassium and sodium alkalies. The carbonic acid given off, if 
the carbonate has been given, is sedative to the stomach. They 
are both decomposed by the gastric juice, the magnesium chlor- 
ide, lactate and bicarbonate being formed. These three salts, 
or the sulphate, if that has been taken, act in the intestine as 
typical saline purgatives. The sulphate is most powerful. 
The mode of action of this group of purgatives has been discussed 
on p. 85. 

Blood and urine. — Like other alkaline remedies, these mag- 



I48 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

nesium salts increase the alkalinity of the blood, alkalinize the 
urine, help to keep uric acid in solution, and are diuretic. But 
their action on the blood and urine is feebler than that of potas- 
sium and sodium salts, for they are with difficulty absorbed. 

Therapeutics of Magnesium Salts. 

Internal. — Stoj?iach. — Magnesia and the carbonates are mild 
alkaline remedies, and may be used in the same class of cases as 
other alkalies. They form insoluble compounds with mineral 
acids, oxalic acid, and salts of mercury, arsenic and copper. By 
alkalizing the gastric contents they hinder the absorption of 
alkaloids. They are, therefore, antidotes to alb these substances; 
the objection to them is their bulk. Magnesia is to be preferred, 
as the carbonate gives off carbonic acid gas. They must be 
freely given. The sulphate is an antidote to lead and barium 
salts, forming insoluble sulphates. 

Intestines. — The magnesium salts are very common purga- 
tives. Magnesia, the carbonate, and the citrate are excellent for 
children. The sulphate is one of our best saline purgatives. It 
is very largely used, especially for the varieties of constipation 
that are associated with hepatic disorder, gout, or excessive uric 
acid. Its use is then spread over some time, and it may conve- 
niently be taken as one of the mineral waters which contain it 
and sodium sulphate {see p. 129). A concentrated solution, 
causing as it does an increased secretion of intestinal fluid, is a 
useful purge for dropsy or ascites. [It is useful with glycerin in 
concentrated enema for thorough cleansing of the bowels before 
surgical operations, (glycerin 1 oz. in a saturated solution of 
magnesium sulphate, in hot water 3 oz., which is allowed to cool), 
it can also be used hypodermatically in dose of 3 gr. which fre- 
quently will cause a watery evacuation]. 

Blood and kidneys. — So little of these salts is absorbed that 
they are only to be given for their alkaline effects on the blood 
and urine in those cases of gout and uric acid gravel in which 
potassium or sodium salts cannot be borne. 



ALUM. 149 

V. CERIUM. 

Ce=i 39 .9. 

CERII OXALAS.— [Cerium Oxalate. Ce 2 (C 2 4 ) 2 4- 9^0=704.78. 
Synonym. — Cerous Oxalate. 

Source. — The powdered mineral is heated with concentrated sulphuric 
acid, ignited, then dissolved in dilute nitric acid and treated with hydrogen 
sulphide to remove copper; the calcium salt is held in solution by a little 
hydrochloric acid, and the cerite metals are precipitated as oxalates by oxalic 
acid. It is purified by calcination and solution, reduction to a cerous salt and 
precipitated by oxalic acid. 

Characters. — A white granular powder, without odor or taste. Solu- 
bility. — Insoluble in water, Alcohol or Ether.] 

Impurities. - Aluminum, Oxalates. 

Dose 1 to 8 gr. 

Therapeutics. 

It is given empirically for vomiting, especially for that of 

pregnancy, and occasionally with benefit. No physiological 

action is known. 

VI. ALUMINUM. 

Al=27.o4. 

1. ALUMEN.— Alum. A1 2 K 2 (S0 4 ) 2 + 24^0=946.46. [Synonyms. 
— Aluminum and Potassium Sulphate, Potassium Alum. 

Source. — Made from Alum, Slate or Shale (a mixture of Aluminum Sili- 
cate and Iron Sulphide) by roasting and exposing to the air. By lixiviating 
the heaps with water, Sulphuric Acid, Aluminum and Iron Sulphates are ob- 
tained in solution. This solution is concentrated, and while hot mixed with 
Potassium Chloride, which, reacting upon the Ferric Sulphate, yields Potassium 
Sulphate and Ferric Chloride, while the Alum separates on cooling as a crys- 
talline powder. It is then purified by one or two recrystallizations. Also by 
making an Aluminum Sulphate from Al(OH) 3 , the by- product in the manufac- 
ture of Soda from cryolite. 

Characters. — Large colorless octahedral crystals, sometimes modified 
by cubes, or in crystalline fragments, without odor, but having a sweetish and 
strongly astringent taste. On exposure to the air, the crystals are liable to 
absorb ammonia, and acquire a whitish coating.] Solubility.— In 9 parts of 
water. 

Incompatibles. — Alkalies, Lime, Lead, Mercury, and Iron Salts, Tar- 
trates and Tannic Acid. 

Impurities. — Ferrous Sulphate and Silicates. 

Dose, 5 to 30 gr. 



150 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Preparation. 

Alumen Exsiccatum. — [Dried Alum. Synonyms. — Alumen 
Ustum, Burnt Alum. 

Source. — Heat 100 parts of Alum with moderate heat till aqueous 
vapor ceases to be disengaged, and it is reduced to 55 parts. 

Characters.— A white granular powder, without odor, possessing 
a sweetish, astringent taste, and attracting moisture from the air. Sol- 
ubility — Slowly but completely soluble in 20 parts of water.] 

2. ALUMINI HYDRAS.— [Aluminum Hydrate. A1 2 (0H) 6 =I55.84. 
Synonyms. — Aluminum Hydroxide, Hydrated Alumina. 

Source. — By separate solution of Alum, 100 ; and Sodium Carbonate, 100 
in distilled water and heat. Mix the hot solutions, wash the precipitate with 
hot distilled water, dry and reduce to a fine powder. 

Characters. — A white, light amorphous powder, odorless and tasteless, 
permanent in dry air. Solubility. — Insoluble in water or Alcohol.] 

Dose 1 to 10 gr. 

3. ALUMINI SULPHAS.— [Aluminum Sulphate. Al 2 (S0 4 ) 3 +i6 
H 2 0=628. 9 . 

Source. — Aluminum Hydroxide, Al(OH) 3 a by-product; the manufac- 
ture of soda from cryolite is dissolved in ddute Sulphuric Acid, the solution is 
filtered and evaporated to dryness. 

Characters. — A white, crystalline powder, without odor, having a 
sweetish and afterwards astringent taste. Solubility. — 1 . 2 parts of water ; almost 
insoluble in Alcohol.] 

Action of Alum. 

External. — It has no action on the unbroken skin, but coag- 
ulates the albumin of the discharges from ulcers, sores, etc., and 
thus forms a protecting covering to the parts, and acts as an effi- 
cient astringent. The albumin in the tissues themselves is 
coagulated also. This coagulated albumin will compress and 
occlude the vessels, and thus alum is haemostatic. Dried alum 
absorbs water, and therefore its solid form is mildly caustic. 

Internal. — Alimentary tract. — Alum is an excellent astrin- 
gent for the mouth, stomach and intestines, and will cause constipa- 
tion. In large doses it is emetic, acting directly on the stomach, 
and in larger still, irritant and purgative. Most, if not all, is passed 
by the faeces ; probably it has no remote effects on the tissues. 



ALUMINUM SULPHATE. I 5 I 

Therapeutics of Alum. 

External. — It is occasionally used as a caustic to destroy 
weak exuberant granulations. Because of its astringency it has 
many uses ; it may, for example, be applied to weeping eczema- 
tous surfaces, and as an injection or soaked on lint for vulvitis of 
children. Solutions of it have been used for leucorrhoea and 
gleet. Ten grains to the fluid ounce of water is a common 
strength for most purposes. Five grains to the fluid ounce make 
a good eye wash or a gargle. Strong solutions, or powdered 
alum, applied locally, stop bleeding, if it is not severe, such as 
occurs from piles, leech bites, slight cuts, the gums and the nose. 

Internal. — Alimentary canal. — As a mouth wash or gargle 
(5-10 gr. to 5j) alum is very valuable in ulcerative stomatitis, in 
aphthous conditions of the mouth, and in slight pharyngitis or 
tonsillitis. One part of alum with five parts of glycerin, painted 
on with a camel's-hair brush, is excellent for these conditions. 
If the nose be irrigated with a solution of alum, it may remedy a 
chronic ozsena. It has been found that other astringents are 
preferable for bleeding from the stomach and for diarrhoea, but 
a teaspoonful of alum, dissolved in simple syrup, and given every 
quarter of an hour till vomiting is produced, is an excellent 
emetic for children, and may be used to produce vomiting in 
laryngitis and bronchitis, as it is non-depressant. It is a strange 
fact that in lead colic, alum will sometimes open the bowels, 
probably because, being a sulphate, it precipitates any lead salt 
as an insoluble lead sulphate. 



152 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

GROUP IV. 

Plumbum, Argentum, Zincum, Cuprum, Bismuthum. 

The pharmacopoeial Salts of these metals are powerful astringents. 
Many of them have some Salts which are emetics, and others which, when 
applied locally, are Caustic. Aluminum, which was last considered, would 
pharmacologically fall into this group. 

I. PLUMBUM. 

Pb=2o6.4. 

1. PLUMBI OXIDUM.— [Lead Oxide. PbO=222.36. Synonym.— 
Litharge. 

Source. — Made by roasting Lead in air. 

Characters. — A heavy, yellowish or reddish-yellow powder or minute 
scales, without odor or taste. Solubility. — Almost insoluble in water ; soluble 
in Nitric and Acetic Acids. 

Impurities. — Copper, Iron, Carbonates.] 

Preparations. 

1. Emplastrum Plumbi. — Lead Plaster. This is oleate of 
LEAD, and is sometimes called Diachylon Plaster. [Lead Oxide, 3200, 
is boiled in water, and Olive Oil, 6000. When the mass has acquired 
a whitish color and is perfectly homogeneous, it is well kneaded to 
remove the Glycerin and divided into rolls of suitable size]. 3PbO-j~3 
H 2 0+ 2 (C 3 H 5 (C 18 H 33 2 ) 3 ) = 3 (Pb 2 C 18 H 33 2 ), Lead Oleate, +2(C 3 H 5 
(OH) 3 ), Glycerin. 

[Lead Oxide or its Emplastrum is contained in Emplastrum Ara- 
moniaci cum Hydrargyo, Ferri, Hydrargyri, Opii, Resinae and Saponis.] 

2. [Unguentum Diachylon. — Diachylon Ointment. Lead Plas- 
ter, 500; Olive Oil, 490; Oil of Lavender Flowers, 10.] 

2. PLUMBI ACETAS.— [Lead Acetate. Pb(C 2 H 3 2 ) 2 +3H 2 0= 
378.0. Synonym. — Sugar of Lead. 

Source. — Metallic Lead is dissolved, in the presence of air, in Acetic 
Acid. PbO+2C 2 H 4 2 +2H 2 0=Pb(C 2 H 3 2 ) 2 -r-3H 2 0. To obtain well 
defined crystals the solution must have a distinctly acid reaction. 

Characters. — Colorless, shining, transparent, monoclinic prisms or 
plates, or heavy, white, crystalline masses, or granular crystals, having a faintly 
acetous odor, and a sweetish, astringent, "afterwards metallic taste. Efflo- 
rescent, and absorbing Carbon Dioxide, on exposure to the air. Solubility. — 
In 1.8 parts of water. 



LEAD. 153 

Incompatibles. — Hard water, Mineral Acids and Salts, Alkalies, Lime 
Water, Potassium Iodide, vegetable astringents, preparations of Opium, and 
Albuminous Liquids.] 

Impurity. — Lead Carbonate. 

Dose, y z to 5 gr. 

Preparations made from the Acetate in which Lead exists as the SUB ACE- 
TATE, Pb 2 0(C 2 H 3 2 ) 2 . 
[1. Liquor Plumbi Subacetatis. — Solution of Lead Subacetate. 
Synonym. — Goulard's Extract. Lead Acetate, 170; and Lead Oxide, 
100; are boiled together in distilled water, to make 1000.] An aqueous 
liquid containing in solution about 25 per cent, of Lead Subacetate [ap- 
proximately Pb 2 0( C 2 H 3 2 ) 2=546.48. 

2. Liquor Plumbi Subacetatis Dilutus. — Diluted Solution of 
Lead Subacetate. Synonym. — Lead Water. Liquor Plumbi Subaceta- 
tis, 30 ; distilled water to 1000. 

3. Ceratum Plumbi Subacetatis. — Cerate of Lead Subacetate. 
Synonym. — Goulard's Cerate. Solution of Lead Subacetate, 200 • 
Camphor Cerate, 800.] 

3. PLUMBI CARBON AS.— [Lead Carbonate. A mixture of Carbon- 
ate and Hydrate. (PbC0 3 ), Pb(OH) 2 . Synonym.— White Lead. 

Source. — Expose Lead to the vapor of Acetic Acid and to air charged 
with Carbonic Dioxide. 6Pb-f 6HC 2 H 3 2 -f 30 2 -f 2C0 2 =(PbC0 3 ), Pb(OH) 2 + 
2H 2 0+ 3 Pb(C 2 H 3 2 ) 2 . 

Characters. — A heavy, white, opaque powder, or a pulverulent mass, 
without odor or taste.] 

Impurity. — Lime. 

Preparation. 

Unguentum Plumbi Carbonatis. — Ointment of Lead Carbon- 
ate. Lead Carbonate, 10 ; Benzoinated Lard, 90.] 

4. PLUMBI NITRAS.— [Lead Nitrate. Pb(N0 3 ) 2 =33o.i8.] 
Source. — Dissolve Lead in warm diluted Nitric Acid. 
Characters. — [Colorless, transparent, octahedral crystals, or white 

opaque crystals; without odor, and having a sweetish, astringent, afterwards 
metallic taste.] 

5. PLUMBI IODIDUM.— [Lead Iodide. Pbl 2 =430.46. 

Source. — Mix solutions of Lead Nitrate and Potassium Iodide and dry 
the precipitate. Pb(N0 3 )2+2KI=:2KN0 3 4-PbI 2 . 

Characters. — A heavy, bright-yellow powder, without odor or taste. 
Solubility. — In about 2000 parts of water.] 
14 



154 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Preparation. 
[Unguentum Plumbi Iodidi. — Ointment of Lead Iodide. Lead 
Iodide, io; Benzoinated Lard, 90]. 

Action of Lead Salts. 

External. — The action of lead salts on the unbroken skin, 
if they have any, is very slight ; but when applied to the abraded 
skin, to sores and to ulcers, they coagulate the albumin of the 
discharge, thus forming a protective coat ; they coagulate the 
albumin in the tissues themselves ; and they contract the small 
vessels ; for these three reasons they are powerfully astrin- 
gent. They also soothe pain, and are therefore excellent local 
sedatives. It is obvious that substances so markedly astringent 
will be haemostatics. The nitrate is slightly caustic, and any 
salt may be irritant and caustic if enough be used, and it is suffi- 
ciently concentrated. 

Internal. — Lead salts act on mucous membranes precisely 
as on the broken skin, and are therefore powerfully astringent and 
haemostatic to all parts of the alimentary canal, from the mouth 
downwards. (For other actions see Toxicology.) 

Therapeutics of Lead Salts. 
External. — Lead salts are applied as lotions or ointments in 
many conditions for which an astringent, sedative effect is 
desired, as in weeping eczema and many varieties of ulceration. 
The lotions may be injected in vulvitis, leucorrhcea, gleet and 
otorrhoea, but should not be applied for ulceration of the cornea, 
lest the white precipitate formed should lead to permanent opa- 
city. The sedative effect is well seen in their use in pruritus ; 
but of course the cause of the itching should, if possible, be re- 
moved. The Liquor Plumbi Subacetatis is rarely used, as it is 
strong enough to irritate ; the dilute form is that usually employed 
when a lotion is desired. It is often applied to bruises when the 
skin is unbroken, but is doubtful if it is absorbed. The oint- 
ment is an excellent remedy, and a lotion of lead and opium is a 
favorite preparation. It may be made by mixing 5 gr. of extract 
of opium with 5j of Liquor Plumbi Subacetatis Dilutus and 5j 
of water. 



LEAD POISONING. 155 

Internal. — The chief uses of lead salts (the acetate is the only 
one given internally) are as astringents in severe diarrhoea, such 
as that of typhoid fever, and as haemostatics, as in gastric ulcer, 
or in haemorrhage from the intestine, especially if severe, as in 
typhoid fever or tuberculosis. For these purposes the Pilula 
Plumbi cum Opio (lead acetate, 3 grains; opium, 1 grain) is very 
valuable, and suppositories containing the same amount of the in- 
gredients may be employed for rectal haemorrhage. Lead salts 
produce marked constipation. Other preparations are generally 
preferred, but the lead subacetate may be used as a gargle when 
an astringent effect on the mouth or pharynx is desired. 

Toxicology. 

Acute Lead Poisoning. — As when applied externally, so when taken in- 
ternally, the Salts of Lead, if concentrated, are powerful irritants. Cases of acute 
poisoning are rare. The Acetate is most frequently taken. There is a burning, 
sweetish taste in the mouth, thirst, vomiting, abdominal colic, and usually con- 
stipation, but if the bowels are open the faeces are black : the skin is cold, and 
there is collapse. If the patient live long enough, cramps in the legs, giddi- 
ness, torpor, coma, and convulsions are present. Post-mortem. — The stomach 
and intestines show signs of irritant poisoning. 

Treatment. — Give emetics (see p. 80), or wash out the stomach. Give 
Sodium or Magnesium Sulphate to form an insoluble sulphate, and to open the 
bowels. If collapse is present, stimulants and warmth should be used. 

Chronic Lead Poisoning. — This is so common that it is fully described 
in text-books on medicine. It usually occurs in those who work in lead, be- 
cause they will not wash their hands before meals, and thus they impregnate 
their food. Those who work at white-lead factories are very liable to it. It 
has also occurred in many ways from the impregnation of food and water with 
lead, especially from the storage of soft water in leaden cisterns and pipes. 

Symptoms. — The earliest are constipation and intestinal colic. Lead is 
certainly absorbed, for it circulates in the blood and is excreted, chiefly by the 
kidneys. It is supposed to be taken up as an albuminate, but it cannot exist in 
the blood as such, for it would be precipitated by the alkali of that fluid. After 
absorption it diminishes the amount of haemoglobin and the number of red blood- 
corpuscles, and produces a sallow anaemia; it checks the separation of urates 
from the blood and their excretion by the kidneys, hence gout is very common 
in those poisoned by lead. As it circulates in the gums, and the lead-impreg- 
nated plasma bathes the epithelium, through which some of the sulphur in the 
food and in the tartar of the teeth has diffused, a Lead Sulphide is precipitated 



I56 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

in the gums, and forms the well-known very dark -blue line at the base of the 
teeth. For the same reason a blue line may occasionally be seen round the 
anus, and, after death, deposits of pigment in the intestines. Circulating in the 
nervous system, lead very often produces chronic inflammation of the peripheral 
nerves, especially those supplying the extensors of the hand, and hence wrist- 
drop is a very common symptom ; but any muscle, and sometimes almost all the 
muscles of the body, may be paralyzed from neuritis. It is noteworthy that the 
supinator longus usually escapes. The sensory fibres of the nerves are not often 
affected, hence pain and anaesthesia are rare; but pains, especially round the 
joints, may occur. In exceptional cases the anterior cornua of the spinal cord 
waste, and lead often affects the brain, causing saturnine lunacy, and also con- 
vulsions, known as saturnine epilepsy. Inflammation of the optic nerve, or 
optic neuritis, sometimes occurs, leading to blindness, which, however, may be 
present without any change in the nerve. The kidneys are often the seat of 
chronic inflammation; whether this is due to the passage of the lead through 
them, or to the gout caused by the lead, is an open question. The treatment 
consists chiefly in avoidance of the source of poisoning, the use of Sulphuric 
Acid lemonade, and in the administration of Potassium Iodide; for although 
Lead Iodide is insoluble, there is no doubt that the administration of Potassium 
Iodide leads to an increased excretion of lead in the urine, probably from the 
formation of a complex, soluble compound of lead. It is said also to be ex- 
creted in the bile, sweat, and milk. For a clinical account of the symptoms 
and treatment a text-book of medicine must be consulted. 

II. ARGENTUM. 

Ag.=io7.66. 
1. ARGENTI NITRAS.— [Silver Nitrate. AgN0 3 = 169.55. Syn- 
onym. — Lunar caustic. 

Source. — Dissolve silver in Nitric Acid with the aid of heat. Evaporate 
and crystallize. 6HN0 3 -f 3Ag 2 =6AgN0 8 -f 6H 2 . 

Characters. — Colorless, transparent, tabular, rhombic crystals, becoming 
gray or grayish-black on exposure to light in the presence of organic matter; 
without odor, but having a bitter, caustic and strongly metallic taste. Solu- 
bility. — In 0.6 part of water; and in 26 parts of Alcohol. It should be kept in 
the dark, as light blackens it. 

Incompatibles. — Alkalies and their carbonates, chlorides, acids (except 
nitric and acetic), Potassium Iodide, solutions of Arsenic, and astringent infusions. 
Impurities. — Other nitrates.] 
Dose, j^ to 1 gr. in a pill. 

Prep a rations. 
[1. Argenti Nitras Dilutus. — Diluted Nitrate of Silver. Syno- 
nym, — Mitigated caustic. 



SILVER SALTS. 157 

Source. — It is a mixture made by fusing together Silver Nitrate, 
30, and Potassium Nitrate, 60. The product is poured into moulds. 

Characters. — White, hard solid, generally in the form of pen 
cils or cones of a finely granular fracture, becoming gray or grayish- 
black on exposure to light in the presence of organic matter; odorless, 
having a caustic, metallic taste, and neutral to litmus paper. 

2. Argenti Nitras Fusus. — Moulded Nitrate of Silver. Syn- 
onym. - Lunar Caustic. 

Source. — By melting Silver Nitrate, 100; Hydrochloric Acid, 4; 
cooling in moulds. 

Characters. — A white, hard solid, generally in the form of pen- 
cils of a fibrous fracture, becoming gray or grayish-black on exposure to 
light.] 

2. ARGENTI OXIDUM.— [Silver Oxide. Ag 2 0=23i. 2 8. 
Source. — Shake a solution of Silver Nitrate with a solution of Potassa 

and wash the precipitate. 2AgN0 3 -f-2KOH=Ag 2 04-KN0 3 -f-H 2 0. 

Characters. — A heavy, dark brownish-black powder, having a metallic 
taste. Solubility. — Slightly in water.] 

Incompatibles. — Chlorides and organic substances, especially creosote, 
for it rapidly oxidizes them and forms explosive compounds. 

Impurity. — Metallic silver. 

Dose, l / 2 to 2 gr. in a pill. 

3. ARGENTI CYANIDUM.— [Silver Cyanide AgCN=i33-64. 
Source. — From Potassium Cyanide. 

Characters. — A white powder, odorless and having a taste which reacts 
with Silver Nitrate, producing the precipitate of Silver Cyanide. KCN-f- 
Ag N0 3 = Ag CN 4- KN0 3 . Solubility.— Insoluble in water and Alcohol. 

Used to prepare extemporaneously Acidum Hydrocyanicum Dilutum. 

4. ARGENTI IODIDUM.— Silver Iodide. Agl=23 4 .i 9 . 
Source — From Silver Nitrate and Potassium Iodide, washing and drying 

the precipitate. AgN0 3 4-Kl=AgI-f-KN0 3 . 

Characters. — A heavy, amorphous, light-yellowish powder, without odor 
and taste. Solubility. — Insoluble in water and Alcohol. 

Dose, ^ to 1 gr.] 

Action of Silver Salts. 

External. — The action of silver salts is very like that of lead 
salts, but they are more powerful, Therefore silver nitrate is much 
used as a caustic, but it does not act deeply ; it is consequently 
an admirable agent when we wish a limited caustic action on any 



I58 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

particular part. Lotions of it may be used as astringents, but 
they are not so useful as lead lotions, for they are more irritating 
and cause pain. Silver salts, like lead salts, are haemostatic, 
acting in precisely the same way. Weak solutions of the nitrate 
stimulate to healthier action indolent ulcers and other inflamed 
surfaces. 

Internal. -Silver salts, when locally applied to the mucous 
membrane of the mouth, act as upon the abraded skin. In the 
stomach the nitrate is decomposed, we do not know what com- 
pound is formed, but it is said to have no astringent action. 
Silver is absorbed from the alimentary tract, for its long-continued 
use leads to a bluish-slate color of the skin. Very little is known 
about its further action. In acute poisoning nervous symptoms, 
as convulsions, are met with ; in the chronic form there is loss of 
appetite, impaired nutrition, albuminuria, rapid irregular action 
of the heart, and, after death, general fatty degeneration. Some 
is passed in the faeces as the sulphide. 

Therapeutics of Silver Salts. 

External. — Silver nitrate is much used because it is, from 
its limited action, one of the best caustics, and may be employed 
to destroy warts and exuberant granulations, or to apply to bites ; 
but it must be remembered that it is of no use when an extensive 
or deep action is required. Because of its combination of an irri- 
tant stimulating effect with an astringent influence, lotions of it, of 
generally about 5 gr. to the fluid ounce of water are of much 
benefit when applied as a paint to weak ulcers, to bedsores, to the 
affected parts in chronic pharyngitis or laryngitis, or as an injec- 
tion in gleet or inflammation of the cervix uteri. Weaker solu- 
tions (2 gr. to 5j) are employed for granular lids and various 
forms of ophthalmia. Solutions of the nitrate will sometimes 
relieve pruritis, and may be applied to the red skin of a threaten- 
ing bedsore ; very strong solutions have been recommended as a 
local application in erysipelas. Tinea tarsi is often treated by 
the application of solid nitrate of silver, and ulcers of the mouth 
and other parts may be touched with it. It is an excellent 



ZINC SALTS. 159 

haemostatic for leech-bites. It is also applied to smallpox vesicles 

to prevent pitting, to boils, and to the uterus in chronic cervical 

catarrh. [The iodide possesses the general properties of the 

nitrate.] 

Internal. — Silver salts are not much used internally, and 

their continuous employment is objectionable on account of the 

discoloration of the skin produced. They were formerly often 

given in nervous diseases ; but there is no evidence that they did 

any good. Although it is said that the compound of silver formed 

in the stomach is non-astringent, silver nitrate will certainly 

check severe diarrhoea, especially that of children. Sixty grains 

of silver nitrate dissolved in three pints of tepid water, and 

injected high up the rectum, have been used with great benefit in 

dysentery. 

III. ZINCUM. 

Zn— 63.10. 

1. ZINCUM.— Zinc. Zn=65.io. 

Source. — Roast the native Zinc Sulphide or Carbonate, and reduce the 
resulting Oxide with Charcoal. 

Characters. — A bluish-white metal [in the form of thin sheets, or irregu- 
lar, granulated pieces, or moulded into thin pencils, or in a state of fine 
powder.] 

2. ZINCI CHLORIDUM.— [Zinc Chloride. ZnCl 2 =i35.84. 
Source. — Dissolve Zinc in Hydrochloric Acid by boiling. The solution 

contains the Zinc Chloride, with Iron and Lead Chlorides as impurities. These 
are precipitated by adding first Nitric Acid, then Zinc Carbonate. Filter 
and finally evaporate. Zn 2 -f-4HCl=2ZnCl-f 2H 2 . 

Characters. — A white, granular powder, or porcelain-like masses irreg- 
ular, or moulded into pencils ; odorless, of such intensely caustic properties as 
to make tasting dangerous, unless the salt be dissolved in much water, when it 
has an astringent, metallic taste. Very deliquescent. Solubility. — In 0.3 parts 
of water; very soluble in Alcohol.] 

Impurities — Iron, Calcium and Sulphates, 

3. LIQUOR ZINCI CHLORIDI.— [Solution of Zinc Chloride. 
Source. — Prepared as above, but with the addition in water. 
Characters. — A clear, colorless liquid of an astringent, sweetish taste, 

sp. gr. about 1.535 ^ contains about 50 per cent, by weight of the salt.] 



l6o INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Action of Zinc Chloride. 

External. — It is very caustic, penetrating deeply, and 
limited in its effect to the seat of application. It is strongly 
antiseptic, and a solution of it of sp. gr. 2.0, known as Bur- 
nett's fluid, is used as a domestic antiseptic. 

Internal, see Toxicology. 

Therapeutics of Zinc Chloride. 

External. — It is used as a powerful caustic, and is often 
made into sticks with plaster of Paris to destroy warts, naevi, 
condylomata, lupoid patches, etc. For the same purposes it may 
be made into a paste with equal parts of starch or flour. Either 
the liquor, or Burnett's fluid, may be employed to wash out bed- 
pans, closets, etc., but zinc chloride is not so commonly used as 
other antiseptics. It is not given internally. 

Toxicology. 

Zinc Chloride is a corrosive irritant poison, causing a sensation of burning 
in the mouth and throat, abdominal pain, vomiting — -the vomit containing 
blood, mucus, and shreds of mucous membrane, — violent purging, and collapse. 
Post-mortem. — The appearances are those produced by an acute irritant. 

Treatment. — Wash out the stomach, or give emetics (see p. 80), and then 
demulcents {see also p. 57.) 

4. ZINCI SULPHAS.— [Zinc Sulphate. ZnS0 4 +7H 2 0=286.64. 
Source. — Made with Zinc and Sulphuric Acid as the chloride was made 

from Hydrochloric Acid, and with the same precautions for removing impurities. 

Characters. — Colorless, transparent rhombic crystals, without odor, 
very like Magnesium Sulphate, but having an astringent, metallic taste. 
Solubility. — In 0.6 part of water; insoluble in Alcohol.] 

Impurities. — Lead, Iron, Copper, Arsenic. 

Incompatibles. — Alkalies and other carbonates, Lime Water, Lead 
Acetate, Silver Nitrate, astringent vegetable infusions or decoctions, and milk. 

Dose, ]/ 2 to 2 gr. (tonic), 10 to 30 gr. (emetic). 

5. [ZINCI CARBONAS PRiECI PI TATUS.— Precipitated Zinc 
Carbonate. [2 (ZnC0 8 )3Zn(OH) 2 ?=546.94 ? 

Source. — Boil together solutions of Zinc Sulphate and So-lium Carbonate. 
3ZnS0 4 +2H 2 0-|-3Na 2 C03=2 (ZnC0 3 ) 3Zn(OH) 2 +2C0 2 +3Na 2 S0 4 Dry 
the precipitated Zinc Salt. 



ZINC, OXIDE AND ACETATE. l6l 

Characters. — An impalpable, white powder, of somewhat variable 
chemical composition, without odor or taste. Similar in constitution to Mag- 
nesium Carbonate. Solubility. — Insoluble in water and Alcohol.] 

Impurities. — Sulphates, Chlorides, Copper. 

6. ZINCI OXIDUM.— [Zinc Oxide. ZnO=8i.o6. 

Source. — Heat the carbonate to redness in a crucible. 2(ZnCO)3Zn 
(OH) 2 ,= 3 ZnO-f 3 H 2 0+C0 2 . 

Characters. — An amorphous, white, tasteless, and odorless powder. 
Solubility. — Insoluble in water and Alcohol.] 

Impurities. — The carbonate and its impurities. 

Dose, i to 5 gr. 

Preparations. 

I. Unguentum [Zinci Oxidi. — Ointment of Zinc Oxide. Zinc 
Oxide, 200; Benzoinated Lard, 800; melted together.] 

[2. Oleatum Zinci. Oleate of Zinc. Zinc Oxide, 50; Oleic 
Acid, 950.] 

7. ZINCI ACET AS.— [Zinc Acetate. Zn(C 2 H 3 2 ) 2 ,+2H 2 0=2i8.74. 
Source. — Dissolve the Zinc Oxide in Acetic Acid and water, and boil. 

ZnO+2HC 2 H 3 2 =Zn(C 2 H 3 2 )2+H 2 0. Zinc Acetate crystallizes out. 

Characters. — Soft, white, six-sided monoclinic plates, of a pearly 
lustre, having a faintly acetous odor, and an astringent, metallic taste. 
Solubility. — In 2.7 parts of water; and in 36 parts of Alcohol.] 

Impurities. — Those of the carbonate. 

Incompatibles. — The same as of the sulphate. 

Dose, y 2 to 2 gr. (tonic). 

8. [ZINCI BROMIDUM. See Bromine. 

9. ZINCI IODIDUM. See Iodine.] 

10. ZINCI VALERIANAS. See Valeriana. 
11 ZINCI PHOSPHIDUM. See Phosphorus. 

Action of Zinc Sulphate, Carbonate, Oxide and Acetate. 

External. — These salts when applied to the broken skin or 
an ulcerated surface, are all astringents, acting by precipitating 
the albumin in the discharge and also that in the tissues. Thus 
they resemble lead and silver salts, but as a whole they are less 
powerfully astringent. The most active of them are the sulphate 
and acetate, whilst the carbonate and oxide are very weak. All 
these zinc salts are mild haemostatics. 



l62 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Internal. — Alimentary canal. — They all have an astringent 
effect on the gastric and intestinal mucous membranes. The 
sulphate, and to a less degree the carbonate, in doses of about 
20 grains are prompt emetics. They act directly on the stom- 
ach, and have the advantage of producing very little depression. 

Remote effects. — Nothing is known about the remote action of 
zinc salts, nor do we know how they act on the blood. It has 
been stated that they are depressant to the nervous system as a 
whole, and that they act as remote astringents, and will therefore 
arrest haemorrhage from the uterus, kidney, etc., but this state- 
ment is probably incorrect. 

Therapeutics of Zinc Sulphate, Carbonate, Oxide, and 

Acetate. 

External. — A solution of the sulphate, generally about 2 gr. 
to ^ j, usually colored red with compound tincture of lavender, and 
then called Lotio Rubra, is very often applied for its astringent 
effect to all sorts of raw surfaces and ulcers, and as an injection in 
gonorrhoea, leucorrhoea, vulvitis, or otitis. Plain solutions of this 
strength may be applied to the eye for conjunctivitis. The oxide 
and carbonate, either dusted on the part or used as an ointment, 
are in constant use for cases in which only a mild astringent effect 
is desirable. An ointment, often known as Unguentum Metallorum, 
consists of equal parts of ointments of zinc oxide, lead acetate, 
and diluted mercury nitrate. This is a very good application for 
many varieties of eczema, sores, and ulcers. 

Zinc Oleate is an excellent application when a less astringent 
preparation than the sulphate is required. Equal parts of zinc 
oleate, mercury oleate and diachylon ointment form an oint- 
ment which has the great advantage of being transparent, and 
therefore the progress of the disease can be observed, without 
washing off the ointment. [The precipitated carbonate is rarely 
used except to make the oxide and the acetate.] 

Internal. — Alimentary canal. — On account of their disagree- 
able taste, solutions of zinc salts are not used as astringents to the 
mouth. Small doses of the oxide or sulphate may be given as 



COPPER SULPHATE. I 63 

astringents in diarrhoea. The sulphate is a very good emetic for 
cases of poisoning, for it acts promptly without causing much 
nausea and hardly any depression. It is occasionally given as an 
emetic to children suffering from laryngitis or bronchitis. 

Remote effects. — Because it is believed to act as a depressant 
to the nervous system, zinc sulphate has been given in hysteria, 
epilepsy, whooping-cough, and chorea in doses of 1 to 3 grains 
thrice a day. Its use is not generally limited to chorea, but 
often its effect is so slow that it is difficult to prove that the 
patient would not have improved quite as rapidly without any 
drug. It is usually said to be a tonic, but there is no trustworthy 
evidence for this statement. The oxide given internally will 
occasionally check the night-sweats of phthisis, [but it is quite 
likely to interfere with the digestion.] 

IV. CUPRUM. 

01=63.18. 

1. CUPRI SULPHAS.— [Copper Sulphate. CuSC\-f 5^0=248.8. 
Synonyms. — Blue Vitriol, Bluestone, Cupric Sulphate. 

Source. — Heat Copper and Sulphuric Acid together, and dissolve the 
soluble product in hot water and evaporate. 2Cu-)-2H 2 S0 4 =2CuS0 4 -}-2H 2 . 

CHARACTERS. — Large, transparent, deep blue, triclinic crystals, odorless, 
of a nauseous, metallic taste. Solubility. — In 2.6 parts of water ; almost in- 
soluble in Alcohol.] 

Impurity. — Iron. 

Incompatibles. — Alkalies and their Carbonates, Lime Water, Mineral 
Salts (except Sulphates), Iodides and most vegetable astringents. 

Dose, y% to y 2 gr. (astringent), 2 to 20 gr. (emetic). 

Action of Salts of Copper. 

External. — In the solid form this salt is, when applied to 
raw surfaces, a powerful caustic. In dilute solutions it is an 
astringent, acting like zinc sulphate, but more powerfully. 

Internal. — Alimentary canal. — Here also, if very concen- 
trated or given in large doses, copper salts are acute caustic irri- 
tants, but poisoning by them is very rare. In medicinal doses 
it is strongly astringent. Five to ten grains of the sulphate 
form a powerful emetic, acting directly on the stomach. As it 



164 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

is more irritating than zinc sulphate it acts more readily, but it 
has the disadvantage that, if it fails to act, the stomach must be 
promptly emptied by some other means, for if not the copper 
sulphate will cause inflammation of it. 

Remote effects. — Copper salts are slowly absorbed, and copper 
is chiefly re-excreted by the liver in the bile. Nothing is known 
of its further effects. 

Therapeutics of Salts of Copper. 

External. — The sulphate is applied as a caustic to reduce 
exuberant granulations, and is used for tinea tarsi, being rubbed 
on the edges of the lids; as it is milder than nitrate of silver, it 
causes less pain. The Lapis Divinus, which is often used for this 
last purpose, consists of copper sulphate 3 oz., potassium nitrate 
3 oz., alum 3 oz., camphor 60 gr. The first three are fused 
together. The camphor is added, and the mass is cast into cyl- 
indrical moulds. Lotions of copper sulphate, usually about 2 gr. 
to 1 j, may be applied as astringents for just the same purposes as 
loions of zinc sulphate; but it must be remembered that they are 
more powerful. This is the usual strength for solutions which are 
to be dropped into the eye. Rather stronger solutions are mild 
haemostatics. 

Internal. — In small doses copper sulphate is valuable for 
severe diarrhoea; usually it is given by the mouth in the form of 
a pill, but it may be given as a rectal injection. It is a rapid 
emetic, and may be employed in laryngitis and bronchitis in chil- 
dren, and in cases of narcotic poisoning, for which it is useful on 
account of its prompt action. It is particularly serviceable in 
phosphorus poisoning, for if it is used, copper is deposited on the 
phosphorus, rendering it inert. It is usual to give three or four 
grains of the sulphate in water every few minutes till vomiting 
takes place. After emetic doses of copper sulphate, there is gen- 
erally only one act of vomiting, but by that the stomach is com-, 
pletely emptied. Very little is known about the remote action 
of salts of copper, but it is stated that the sulphate will cure chlo- 
rosis, [and it has been recommended for the treatment of syphilis.] 



BISMUTH SALTS. 1 65 

V. BISMUTHUM. 

Bi=2o8.o. 

i. BISMUTHI SUBCARBONAS.— [Bismuth Subcarbonate. (Bi- 
0) 2 ,C0 3 +H 2 0?=52 7 .53? 

Source. — Dissolve Purified Bismuth in Nitric Acid and water, decanted 
and filtered, mixed with Ammonia Water, the precipitate is washed and dis- 
solved in Nitric Acid, and poured into a solution of Sodium Carbonate, the 
resulting precipitate is collected and washed. The final reaction is 2Bi(N0 3 ) 3 
+3Na 2 C0 3 -f-H 2 0=(BiO) 2 ,C0 3 4-H 2 0+6NaN0 3 +2C0 2 . The Precipitated 
Carbonate is separated by filtration. 

Characters. — A white or pale yellowish- white powder, of somewhat 
varying chemical composition, odorless and tasteless. Solubility, — Insoluble 
in water and Alcohol.] 

Impurities. — As of the Subnitrate. 

Dose, 5 to 60 gr. 

2. BISMUTHI SUBNITRAS.— [Bismuth Subnitrate. BiON0 3 -f 
H 2 0?= 3 o 4 . 7 i?.] 

Source. — Dissolve Purified Bismuth in Nitric Acid and water, concen- 
trate by evaporation, pour in more water, and stir thoroughly, wash and dry 
the Precipitated Subnitrate. [Bi 2 +6HN0 3 =2Bi(N0 3 ) 3 -|-3H 2 and Bi(N0 2 ) 3 -f 
H 2 0==BiON0 3 +2HN0 3 . 

Characters. — A heavy, white powder, of somewhat varying chemical 
composition, odorless and almost tasteless. Solubility. — Almost insoluble in 
water; soluble in Alcohol.] 

Impurities. — Lead, Arsenic, Chlorides, Nitrates. 

Do&e, 5 to 60 gr. 

3. BISMUTHI CITRAS.— [Bismuth Citrate. BiC 6 H 5 7 =397.44. 
Source. — Boil Bismuth Subnitrate, 100 ; in Citric Acid, 70 ; dissolved in 

sufficient water. Wash the Precipitate and dry. BiON0 3 -f H 3 C 6 H 5 7 + 
H 2 0=BiC 6 H 6 7 + N0 4 + H 2 0. 

Characters. — A white, amorphous micro-crystalline powder. Solubil- 
ity. — Insoluble in water; soluble in Ammonia.] 

Dose, 1 to 3 gr. 

Preparation. 

Bismuthi et Ammonii Citras. — [Bismuth and Ammonium Citrate. 

Source. — Mix Bismuth Citrate, 100 ; with distilled water to make a 
paste, heat, add Ammonia Water to make a solution, filter, evaporate, and dry 
on plates of glass. 

Characters. — Small, shining, pearly or translucent scales, of a slightly 



1 66 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

acidulous and metallic taste. Solubility. — Very soluble in water ; sparingly 
soluble in Alcohol.] 
Dose, 2 to 5 gr. 

Action of Salts of Bismuth. 

External. — Salts of bismuth have no action on the unbroken 
skin. Dusted on a raw surface they form a protecting coat, and 
are very mildly astringent. 

Internal. — It was formerly believed that bismuth subnitrate 
and subcarbonate were severe gastro-intestinal irritants, but this 
effect was due to the arsenic with which so many specimens of 
bismuth salts were contaminated. When pure, it is probable 
that these salts, like any bland heavy powder, act chiefly as pro- 
tectees to the gastro-intestinal mucous membrane. They have 
a slightly astringent action. It is stated that they are slowly 
absorbed and excreted chiefly in the urine, but the whole subject 
requires fresh investigation. Nothing is known of any remote 
effects. Bismuth leaves the rectum as the sulphide, and colors 
the faeces black. 

Therapeutics of Salts of Bismuth. 

External. — Salts of bismuth may be dusted on sores as pro- 
tectives and mild astringents. The following is a good bismuth 
ointment: — Bismuth oxide i part, and oleic acid 8 parts, stirred 
in with 3 parts of white wax liquefied by heat, with g parts of 
soft paraffin. The subnitrate is sometimes snuffed up the nose 
during a cold. 

Internal. — The subnitrate and the subcarbonate are chiefly 
employed, and they seem to be more efficient than the soluble 
preparations. They must be suspended in mucilage; given thus 
they are more efficacious than as a lozenge. It is not known 
how the effect is produced, but either of these salts is remarkably 
efficient in removing gastric pain, whether due to ulcer or to 
gastritis, or even when no cause can be detected. The usual 
dose is i o to 20 gr. Both these drugs will often stop vomiting 
due to gastritis, gastric ulcer, chloroform, pregnancy, or indeed 
any other cause. For their astringent action they are given in 



IRON. 167 

diarrhoea, doses of 60 gr. being administered without any ill 
effect. They appear sometimes to check the severe diarrhoea of 
tuberculous ulceration of the bowel. Their efficacy as gastric 
anodynes and gastric astringents is much increased by combina- 
tion with a little morphine, and if given as gastric sedatives the 
addition of sodium bicarbonate as well as the morphine is an 
advantage. In such a prescription the bismuth subcarbonate is 
preferable to the subnitrate, for the latter may act on the sodium 
bicarbonate and lead to the production of sufficient carbon 
dioxide to drive the cork out of the bottle. 



GROUP V. 

Ferrum, Manganum. 

These two drugs will cure many forms of anaemia, and probably their 
physiological action is very similar. 

I. FERRUM. 

Fe^55.88. 

1. FERRUM. — [Metallic Iron in form of fine, brightand non-elastic 
wire.] 

Metallic Iron is pharmacopceial in two forms, viz., this and reduced iron. 

2. FERRUM REDUCTUM.— Reduced Iron. Synonyms. — Que- 
venne's Iron. [Iron by Hydrogen.] Metallic Iron with a variable amount of 
oxide. 

Source. — [Hydrogen gas is passed through a hot closed tube which con- 
tains freshly prepared Ferric Oxide which has been thoroughly washed. Fe 2 3 -|- 
3 H 2 =Fe 2 -f 3 H 2 0. 

Characters. — A very fine grayish-black, lustreless] powder, strongly 
attracted by the magnet, without odor or taste. Solubility. — Insoluble in water 
or Alcohol. 

Impurity. — Sulphur. 

Dose, 1 to 5 gr. 

The following (viz., the sulphate, the carbonate, [the iodide, and the lac- 
tate)] are ferrous salts, that is to say, salts of the lower Oxide, FeO. 

3. FERRI SULPHAS.— [Ferrous Sulphate. FeS0 4 +7H 2 0=--27742. 
Synonym. — If impure, Copperas, Green Vitriol. 



IDS INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Source. — Iron Wire is dissolved by boiling in Sulphuric Acid and water. 
The sulphate is crystallized out. Fe,-f 2H 2 S0 4 =2FeS0 4 +2H 2 . 

Characters. — Large pale, bluish-green monoclinic prisms, having a 
saline,] styptic taste. Solubility. — In 1.8 parts of water; insoluble in Alcohol. 

Impurities. — Ferric Salts, Copper. 

Dose, y z to 2 gr. 

Preparations. 

i. Ferri Sulphas Exsiccatus. — [Dried Ferrous Sulphate. Ap- 
proximately 2FeS0 4 +H 2 0=357.28. 

Source. — Heat the sulphate, ioo; to 104 F., until it weighs 64 to 
65 parts. 

Characters. — A grayish- white powder, slowly but completely 
soluble in water.] 

Dose, y 2 to 2 gr. 

Dried Ferrous Sulphate is used to make Pilulae Aloes et Ferri. See 
Aloes. 

2. Ferri Sulphas Granulatus. — [Granulated Ferrous Sulphate. 
FeS0 4 +7H 2 0=277. 4 2. 

Source. — Dissolve Ferrous Sulphate, 100 ; in diluted Sulphuric Acid, 
5; and Distilled Water, 100; pour upon it Alcohol, 25 ; and filter, wash 
and dry the precipitate. 

Characters. — Pale, bluish-green, crystalline powder, which con- 
forms to the reactions of the sulphate.] 

Impurities. — The same as of the sulphate. 

Dose, y z to 2 gr. 

3. Mistura Ferri Composita. — Compound Iron Mixture. Syn- 
onym. — Griffith's mixture. Ferrous Sulphate, 6; Potassium Carbonate, 
8; Myrrh, 18; Sugar, 18; Spirits of Lavender, 60; Rose Water to 1000. 
It is a dark green mixture containing the Ferrous Carbonate, for the 
Ferrous Sulphate and the Potassium Carbonate react on each other. 

Dose, 2 to 4 fl. dr. 

4. Pilulae Ferri Carbonatis. — [Pills of Ferrous Carbonate. Syno- 
nyms. — Ferruginous pills, Chalybeate pills, Blaud's pills. 

Ferrous Sulphate, 16; Potassium Carbonate, 8; Sugar, 4; Traga- 
canth, 1; Althaea, 1 gm., Glycerin and water; to make 100 pills. 
Dose, 1 to 2 pills.] 

4. FERRI CARBONAS SACCHARATUS.— [Saccharated Fer- 
rous Carbonate. A powder containing Ferrous Carbonate FeC0 3 , made from 
Ferrous Sulphate, 50; Sodium Bicarbonate, 35 ; Sugar, and distilled water, by 
solution and filtration. 



IRON. 169 

Characters. — A greenish-brown powder of a sweetish, afterwards slightly 
ferruginous taste.] It is a very unstable compound, being easily oxidized. 
Solubility. — Only partially in water. 

Impurities. — Sodium Sulphate, excess of Ferrous Oxide. 

Dose, 2 to 10 gr. 

5. [MASS A FERRI CARBONATIS.— Mass of Ferrous Carbonate. 
Synonym. — Vallet's Mass. Ferrous Sulphate, 100; Sodium Carbonate, 100; 
Clarified Honey, 38 ; Sugar, 25 ; Syrup, distilled water to 100. By solution, 
precipitation and evaporation. 

Dose, 1 to 5 gr. 

6. FERRI IODIDUM SACCHARATUM.— Saccharated Ferrous 

Iodide. 

Source. — From Iron Wire, 6; Reduced Iron, 1; Iodine, 17; distilled 
water, Sugar of Milk to 100. By solution filtration, evaporation and tritura- 
tion. 

Characters. — A yellowish white powder, very hygroscopic, odorless, 
having a sweetish, ferruginous taste. Solubility. — In 7 parts of water; only 
partially soluble in Alcohol. 

Dose, 5 to 15 gr.] 

7. SYRUPUS FERRI IODIDI.— [Syrup of Ferrous Iodide. A 
syrupy liquid containing 10 per cent, by weight of Ferrous Iodide. Iron 
Wire, 25 ; Iodine, 83 ; Sugar, distilled water to 1000. 

Characters. — A transparent, pale-green liquid, odorless, having a sweet> 
strongly ferruginous taste and a neutral reaction. Sp. gr. about 1.353. 
Dose, 5 to 30 m.] 

8. PILULE FERRI IODIDI.— [Pills of Ferrous Iodide. Triturate 
reduced Iron 4, with Iodine 5, and water; add Glycyrrhiza 1, Sugar 4, Ex- 
tract of Glycyrrhiza 1, and Acacia I gm , with sufficient water, Balsam of Tolu 
and Ether, and evaporate to make 100 pills.] To be preserved from light and 
air as much as possible, as they do not keep well. 

Dose, 1 to 2 pills. 

9. FERRI LACTAS.— [Ferrous Lactate. Fe(C 3 H 5 3 ) 2 -f 3H 2 0= 
287.34. 

Source. — By crystallization from a solution of Lactic Acid and Iron in 
distilled water. 

Characters. — Pale, greenish-white crusts, consisting of small, needle- 
shaped crystals, having a slight, peculiar odor, and a mild, sweetish ferruginous 
taste. Solubility. — In 40 parts of water, and almost insoluble in Alcohol. 

Dose, 1 to 5 gr.] 

Ferrous Lactate is used in Syrupus Hypophosphitum cum Ferro. 
'5 



I7O INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

The following (viz., the Chloride, the Tersulphate, the Nitrate, the Sub- 
sulphate, the Citrate, the Acetate, the Hydrate, [the Ammonium Sulphate, 
the Hypophosphite and the Valerianate] ) are Ferric Salts ; they are com- 
pounds of the higher Oxide, Fe 2 3 . Most are official in the form of liquors. 

10. [FERRI CHLORIDUM.— Ferric Chloride. Fe 2 Cl 6 + i 2 H 2 = 

539-5- 

Source. — Iron Wire, 15 ; Hydrochloric Acid, and distilled water to 60. By 
solution in water with heat, filtration, addition of Nitric Acid, and crystalliza- 
tion. 

Characters. — Orange -yellow, crystalline pieces, very deliquescent, hav- 
ing a faint odor of Hydrochloric Acid and strongly styptic taste. Solubility. — 
Freely in water, Alcohol and Ether.] 

n. LIQUOR FERRI CHLORIDL— [Solution of Ferric Chloride. 
An aqueous solution of Ferric Chloride, (Fe 2 Cl 2 = 323.98), containing about 
37.8 per cent, of the Anhydrous Salt, or corresponding to about 13 per cent, of 
Metallic Iron. 

Source. — Dissolve Iron Wire, 15.8, in Hydrochloric Acid, 870, and water 
to 1000. Fe -\- 2HCI = FeCl 2 -f H 2 . Nitric Acid is also added, and thus 
the Ferrous is converted into Ferric Chloride. 6FeCl 2 -f- 6HC1 -j- 2HNO3 = 
3Fe 2 Cl 6 + 4H 2 + 2NO. 

Characters. — A reddish-brown liquid, having a faint odor of Hydro- 
chloric Acid, and an acid, strongly styptic taste. Sp. gr. about 1.387.] 

Impurities. — Ferrous Salts. 

Dose, 2 to 10 m. 

Preparations. 

1. Tinctura Ferri Chloridi. — [Tincture of Ferric Chloride. So- 
lution of Ferric Chloride, 250; Alcohol to 1000. 

Characters. — A bright, brownish liquid, having a slightly etherial 
odor, a very astringent, styptic taste, and an acid reaction. Sp. gr. 
about 0.960.] 

Dose, 5 to 60 m. 

2. Liquor Ferri et Ammonii Acetatis. — [Solution of Iron 
and Ammonium Acetate. Synonyms. — Basham's Mixture. Tincture 
of Ferric Chloride, 20, diluted Acetic Acid, 30, solution of Ammonium 
Acetate, 200, Aromatic Elixir, 100, Glycerin, 120; water to 1000. 

Dose, 1 to 4 fl. dr.] 

12. LIQUOR FERRI TERSULPHATIS.— [Solution of Ferric 
Sulphate. An aqueous solution of normal Ferric Sulphate (Fe 2 (S0 4 ) 3 = 
399.2) containing about 28.7 per cent, of the salt, and corresponding to about 
8 per cent, of Metallic Iron. 



IRON. 171 

' Source. — A hot solution of Ferrous Sulphate, 400 ; in Sulphuric Acid, 78 ; 
and water, is boiled with Nitric Acid and water to 1000. 6FeS0 4 4- 3H 2 S0 4 
4- 2IINO3 = 3 Fe 2 (S0 4 ) 3 + 4H 2 4- 2NO. 

Characters. — A dark reddish -brown liquid, having an acid, strongly 
styptic taste, and an acid reaction. Sp. gr. about 1. 3 20.] 

13. LIQUOR FERRI NITRATIS.— [Solution of Ferric Nitrate. 
Fe 2 (N0 3 ) 6 = 483.1. An aqueous solution containing about 6. 2 per cent, of 
the Anhydrous Salt, and corresponding to about 1.4 per cent, of Metallic Iron. 

Source. — Precipitate Ferric Sulphate, 180; with Ammonia Water, 
160; wash thoroughly and dissolve in Nitric Acid, 71 ; distilled water to 1000. 

Characters. — A clear, amber-colored or reddish liquid, having an acid, 
styptic taste, and an acid reaction. Sp. gr. about 1.050.] 

Impurities. — Ferrous Salts. 

Dose, 2 to 10 m. 

14. LIQUOR FERRI SUBSULPHATIS.— [Solution of Ferric Sub- 
sulphate. Synonym. — Monsel's solution. An aqueous solution of Basic Ferric 
Sulphate of variable chemical composition, corresponding to about 13.6 per 
cent, of Metallic Iron. 

Source. — From Ferrous Sulphate, 175; Sulphuric Acid, 65; Nitric Acid, 
distilled water to 100. 

Characters. — A dark, reddish -brown liquid, odorless, having an acid, 
strongly styptic taste, and an acid reaction. Sp. gr. about 1.550. 

Dose, 2 to 10 m.] 

15. LIQUOR FERRI CITRATIS.— [Solution of Ferric Citrate. 
An aqueous solution of Ferric Citrate, corresponding to about 7.5 per 

cent, of Metallic iron. 

Source. — From Solution of Ferric Sulphate, 1050; in water; precipita- 
tion with Ammonia Water, 880 ; with addition of Citric Acid, 300; filtration 
and evaporation of filtrate to 1 000. 

Characters. — A dark brown liquid, odorless, having a slightly ferrugin- 
ous taste, and an acid reaction. Sp. gr. 1.250. 

Dose, 5 to 15 m.] 

16. LIQUOR FERRI ACETATIS.— [Solution of Ferric Acetate, 
Fe 2 (C 2 H 3 2 ) 6 = 464.92. An aqueous solution of Ferric Acetate. 

Source. — The Ferric Sulphate, 1000 ; is precipitated with a solution of 
Ammonia Water, 850. Fe 2 (S0 4 ) 3 -f 6NH 4 OH = Fe 2 (OH) 6 4- 3(NHJ 2 S0 4 . 
The resulting hydrate is dissolved in Glacial Acetic Acid, 260. Fe 2 (OH) 6 -f- 
6HC 2 H 3 2 = Fe 2 (C 2 H 3 2 ) 6 + 6H 2 0. 

Characters. — A dark, reddish-brown, clear liquid of an acetous odor, 
a sweetish, acidulous, somewhat styptic taste. Sp. gr. about 1.160. 

Dose, 2 to 10 m.] 



172 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

17. FERRI OXIDUM H YD RATUM.— [Ferric Hydrate. Syno- 
nyms. — Hydrated Ferric Oxide, Ferric Hydroxide. Fe 2 (OH) 6 =2i3.52. 

Source. — Add to a solution of the Ferric Sulphate, 100; Ammonia 
Water, no. The precipitate is Ferric Hydrate. 

Characters. — A reddish-brown magma, wholly soluble in Hydrochloric 
Acid without Effervescence. 

Dose, 1 to 4 dr.] 

Preparations. 

1. Emplastrum Ferri. — [Iron Plaster. Synonym. — Strengthen- 
ing plaster. Ferric Hydrate, 90; Burgundy Pitch, 140; Lead plaster, 
720; Olive Oil, 50.] 

2. Trochisci Ferri. — [Troches of Iron. Ferric Hydrate, 30; 
Vanilla, I ; Sugar, 100 gm. ; Mucilage of Tragacanth, to make 100 
troches. 

Dose, 1 to 2 troches.] 

18. FERRI* OXIDUM HYDRATUM CUM MAGNESIA.— 

Ferric Hydrate with Magnesia. [Synonym. — Arsenic Antidote. Solution 
of Ferric Hydrate, 50; add to the Iron, water, 100. Magnesia, 10; add water 
to the Magnesia to 750. Keep in separate bottles. 

Uses. — For arsenical poisoning, for which it should be mixed by adding 
the magnesia mixture gradually to the iron solution, and shaking until a homo- 
geneous mass results. It should be given in large doses and frequently 
repeated. 

Dose, 1 to 4 dr.] 

19. FERRI ET AMMONII SULPHAS.— [Ferric Ammonium Sul- 
phate. Synonyms. — Ammonio-Ferric Sulphate, Ammonio- Ferric Alum. 

Fe 2 (NH 4 ) 2 (SOJ 4 +24H 2 0= 9 62.i. 

Source. — From crystallization of Ammonium Sulphate in a solution of 
Ferric Sulphate. 

Characters. — Pale, violet, octahedral crystals, efflorescent, odorless, 
having an acid, styptic taste, and a slightly acid reaction. Solubility. — In 3 parts 
of water ; insoluble in Alcohol. 

Dose, 2 to 10 gr.] 

[20. FERRI HYPOPHOSPHIS. See Phosphorus. 

21. FERRI VALERIANAS. See Valeriana.] 

The following are scale preparations of Iron, so called because they are 
dried to form scales. They are not well-defined chemical compounds. There 
are [nine — the Soluble Phosphate, Iron and Potassium Tartrate,] Iron and 
Ammonium Citrate, [Iron and Strychnine Citrate, Iron and Ammonium Tar- 



IKON. 173 

trate, the Citrate, Iron and Quinine Citrate, the soluble Iron and Quinine 
Citrate, the soluble Pyrophosphate.] 

22. [FERRI PHOSPHAS SOLUBILIS.— Soluble Ferric Phos- 
phate. It consists of Ferric Phosphate, with some Oxides. 

Source. — Dissolve Ferric Citrate, 50; in distilled water, loo; add 
Sodium Phosphate, 55. Evaporate and dry on glass. 

Characters. — Thin, bright green, transparent scales, having an acidu- 
lous, slightly saline taste. Solubility. — Freely and completely in water. 

Dose, 1 to 5 gr. 

Preparation. 

Syrupus Ferri, Quininae et Strychninae Phosphatum.— 
Syrup of the Phosphates of Iron, Quinine and Strychnine. Dissolve 
Soluble Ferric Phosphate, 20 ; in water, 50; and add Phosphoric Acid, 
48 ; Quinine Sulphate, 30 ; and Strychnine, T 2 ¥ ; with Syrup, Glycerin 
and distilled water, to 1 000. 

Dose, y z to 1 fi. dr. 

23. FERRI ET POTASSII TARTRAS.— Iron and Potassium 
Tartrate. Synonym. — Potassio-Ferric Tartrate. 

Source. — Add the solution of Ferric Sulphate, 100; in water, 1300; to 
Ammonia Water, no; with water, 250; filter, add water, 1 500; heat with 
Potassium Bitartrate, 38 ; and filter. Dry the precipitate on glass. 

Characters. — Thin, transparent, garnet-red to reddish-brown scales, 
having a sweetish, slightly ferruginous taste. Solubility. — Very soluble in water, 
insoluble in Alcohol. 

Impurities. — Ammonio and Ferrous Salts. 

Dose, 5 to 15 gr.] 

24. FERRI ET AMMONII CITRAS.— [Iron and Ammonium 

Citrate. Synonym. — Ammonio-ferric Citrate. 

Source. — From evaporation of a solution of Ferric Citrate, 100 ; with 
Ammonia Water, 40 ; to consistency of syrup. Dry the precipitate on glass. 

Characters. — Thin, transparent, garnet-red scales, having a saline, 
mildly ferruginous taste, deliquescent. Solubility. — Very soluble in water; 
insoluble in Alcohol.] 

Impurities. — Alkaline Salts. 

Dose, 1 to 5 gr. 

Preparation. 

[Vinum Ferri Citratis. — Wine of Ferric Citrate. Iron and 
Ammonium Citrate, 40; tincture of sweet orange peel, 150; syrup, 100 ; 
white wine, to 1000. 

Dose, 1 to 2 fl. dr. 



1/4 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

25. FERRI ET STRYCHNINE CITRAS.— Iron and Strych- 
nine Citrate. 

Source. — Dissolve Iron and Ammonia Citrate, 98 ; in distilled water, 
100; and Strychnine, I; Citric Acid, I; in distilled water, 20. Mix the 
solutions, evaporate to the consistency of syrup, spread on plates of glass. 

Characters. — Thin, transparent, garnet-red to yellowish-brown scales, 
having a bitter, slightly ferruginous taste. Solubility. — Completely in water. 

Dose, 1 to 3 gr. 

26. FERRI ET AMMONII TARTRAS.— Iron and Ammonium 
Tartrate. Synonym. — Ammonio-Ferric Tartrate. 

Source. — Add the solution of Ferric Sulphate, 100 ; to Ammonia Water, 
no; diluted with cold water, 250; filter, dissolve the precipitate in Tartaric 
Acid, 29 ; dissolved in distilled water; filter and evaporate to a syrupy consist- 
ence and dry on glass. 

Characters. — Thin, transparent scales, from garnet-red to reddish-brown, 
having a sweetish, slightly ferruginous taste. Solubility. — Very soluble in 
water; insoluble in Alcohol. 

Dose, 5 to 15 gr. 

27. FERRI CITRAS.— Ferric Citrate. 

Source. — By evaporation of a solution of Ferric Citrate to a syrupy con- 
sistency and drying on glass. 

Characters. — Thin, transparent, garnet-red scales, odorless, having a 
slightly ferruginous taste, and an acid reaction. Solubility. — Completely in 
water; insoluble in alcohol. 

Dose, 1 to 5 gr.] 

28. FERRI ET QUININE CITRAS.— [Iron and Quinine Citrate. 
Source. — Dissolve Ferric Citrate, 85 ; in distilled water, 160; dissolve 

Quinine, 12; and Citric Acid, 3; in distilled water, 20; mix these solutions, 
evaporate to a syrupy consistency and dry on glass. 

Characters. — Thin, transparent, reddish-brown scales of a bitter, mildly 
ferruginous taste. Solubility. — Slowly but completely in water. Contains at 
least 1 1.5 per cent, of dried Quinine.] 

Impurities. — Alkaline Salts and other Alkaloids instead of Quinine. 

Dose, 2 to 10 gr. 

29. [FERRI ET QUININE CITRAS SOLUBILIS.— Soluble 

Iron and Quinine Citrate. 

Source. — Dissolve Ferric Citrate, 85 ; in distilled water, 160 ; by heating; 
add Quinine, 12; Citric Acid, 3; previously triturated in distilled water, 20; 
mix these solutions and stir with Ammonia Water, 50; evaporate to a syrupy 
consistency and dry on glass. 



IRON. 175 

Characters. — Thin, transparent scales, of a greenish, golden -yellow 
color, having a bitter, mildly, ferruginous taste ; deliquescent. 

Dose, 2 to 10 gr. 

Preparation. 

Vinum Ferri Am arum. — Bitter Wine of Iron. [Soluble Iron 
and Quinine Citrate, 50; Tincture of Sweet Orange Peel, 150; Syrup, 
300; White Wine to 1 000. 

Dose, 1 to 4 fl. dr.] 

30. FERRI PYROPHOSPHAS SOLUBILIS.— Soluble Ferric 
Pyrophosphate. 

Source. — By solution of Ferric Citrate, 50; Sodium Pyrophosphate, 50 ; 
in distilled water, 100 ; evaporation, and drying on glass. 

Characters. — Thin, apple-green, transparent scales, odorless, having an 
acidulous, slightly saline taste, and a slightly acid reaction. Sohibility. — 
Freely in water; insoluble in Alcohol.] 

Dose 1 to 5 gr. 

Incompatibles of Iron Salts in General. — All substances contain- 
ing Tannic or Gallic Acid form an intense black with Ferric Salts. Pre- 
parations of Iron are therefore incompatible with all vegetable astringent solu- 
tions, and the only infusions with which they can be prescribed are infusion of 
Quassia and infusion of Calumba. It is a common mistake to forget that 
because of its Tannin, the tincture as well as the infusion of Digitalis makes 
an inky mixture with Iron preparations. Such a mixture may be clarified with 
a little Diluted Phosphoric Acid, but after a few days a slight precipitate of 
Ferric Phosphate falls. Fenic Salts render Mucilage of Acacia gelatinous. 

Alkalies and their Carbonates, Lime Water, Calcium Carbonate, Magnesia 
and Magnesium Carbonate give green precipitates with Ferrous, and brown 
with Ferric Salts. 

Action of Iron and its Salts. 

External. — They have no action on the unbroken skin, but 
when applied locally to the abraded skin, sores, ulcers, and 
mucous membranes, many of the salts of iron, especially the 
ferric salts, are powerful astringents, because they coagulate 
albuminous fluids, both those discharged from the surface and 
also those in the tissue itself. There is no direct effect on the 
walls of the vessels, but the contraction of the coagulated albu- 
min compresses them and diminishes their calibre. Partly for 
this reason, but still more because these salts of iron quickly 
cause the coagulation of blood, and the clot thus formed plugs 



I76 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

the bleeding vessels, they are the most perfect local haemosta- 
tics we possess, and will often arrest very severe haemorrhage. 
The ferric chloride, the nitrate, and the ferrous sulphate are all 
very strongly astringent ; but the scale preparations, reduced 
iron, the ferrous carbonate, the ferric hydrate, the ferrous iodide, 
the ferric phosphate and the ferric acetate are so very feebly 
astringent that they are never used as local applications ; in fact, 
to most persons they are non-astringent. Ferric oxides have the 
property of converting oxygen into ozone, and are therefore 
disinfectant. 

Internal. — Mouth. — Preparations of iron have a styptic 
taste, the teeth and tongue may be blackened when they are 
taken, owing to the formation of ferrous sulphide, the sulphur being 
derived from the food and the tartar on the teeth; hence it is 
advisable to take iron preparations through a glass tube [and im- 
mediately afterwards to brush the teeth The free acid in the 
tincture of ferric chloride will destroy the enamel of the teeth, 
even if diluted with eight parts of water.] The astringent pre- 
parations have, when locally applied, the same action on the 
mucous membrane of the mouth as on the raw skin. 

Stomach. — Whatever form of iron is given by the mouth, it is 
converted in the stomach into ferric chloride, with probably 
a little ferrous chloride. Long experience has shown that ferric 
chloride is to the physician a most valuable preparation of iron ; 
probably this is because it will not abstract hydrochloric acid 
from the gastric juice as is the case with all other preparations 
of iron. It is often stated that an iron albuminate is formed in 
the stomach ; this is incorrect, and when the iron albuminate is 
given by the mouth it will be converted into a chloride in the 
stomach. Although whatever form of iron is administered ferric 
chloride is formed in the stomach, the choice of the preparation 
is a matter of great importance, for if strongly acid salts are given, 
the acid set free after the formation of the chloride will act as a 
caustic, and damage the mucous membrane; even the prepara- 
tions of the chloride may do this, for they often contain a consid- 
erable amount of free acid. These facts explain why iron prepa- 



iron. \yy 

rations, especially the acid ones, so often cause headache, nausea, 
loss of appetite, and other symptoms of severe indigestion. We 
also learn why experience has taught that the sulphate, which is 
so often used, should be given in the form of a pill, for this, 
especially if coated, is not dissolved till the intestine is reached, 
and the acid is harmless in the alkaline solutions of that part of 
the alimentary canal. Further, we see why the preparations 
which are either not acid at all or only very slightly acid, such as 
the reduced iron, the ferric hydrate, the ferrous carbonate and 
the scale preparations do not as a rule cause indigestion, [but it 
can also be said that they are generally not so efficient as the 
stronger preparations. However, this free acid may be neutral- 
ized by the addition of sodium bicarbonate, so that the tincture 
in the ferric chloride will be acid only so far as the basic ferric 
chloride has an acid reaction, nor does this neutralization impair 
its therapeutic properties, for hydrochloric acid is added to it in the 
stomach. An effective preparation is now made, in which these 
disadvantages of the tincture of the ferric chloride are removed, 
which is known as Weld's syrup of the ferric chloride.] The 
ferric chloride is very astringent, hence the astringent effect on 
the stomach of iron salts. The non-astringent preparations can 
only be astringent in proportion to the amount of ferric chloride 
formed from the gastric juice ; but if large quantities of astringent 
preparations are given, the excess which is not decomposed by 
the gastric juice will add its astringency to that of the ferric 
chloride formed in the stomach. 

Intestines. — On passing into the intestines, the contents of 
which are alkaline from sodium carbonate, the ferric chloride 
becomes an ferric oxide, which remains in solution owing to the 
presence of organic substances ; the ferrous chloride is converted 
into ferrous carbonate, which is also soluble. Lower down in the 
intestine, by the action of the sulphur compounds, the nascent 
hydrogen, and other readily oxidizable products of decomposition 
there present, these compounds of iron are converted into the 
sulphide and tannate (the tannic acid being derived from the 
vegetables in the food), and as such are eliminated with the faeces, 
16 



I78 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

which are turned black. Large amounts of the astringent prepa- 
rations have a constipating effect; this may be owing to there 
being an excess of them, for the oxides and carbonates are non- 
astringent preparations. 

Absorption. — It was for a long time believed that iron, given 
as a drug, was absorbed as an alkaline albuminate and as a chlo- 
ride, but this is almost certainly erroneous. There is no proof 
that iron, when administered as any of the iron preparations 
used in medicine, is absorbed at all. Thus a dog was fed on a 
meat diet • the amount of iron excreted in the urine was on the 
average 3.6 milligrammes a day. Then for nine days 49 mgrms. 
of ferrous sulphate were given daily ; for the first five subse- 
quent days the excretion of iron in the urine did not increase, for 
the next six it increased by only two mgrms. a day, afterwards it 
returned to the normal amount ; so that with an increase of 441 
mgrms. of iron ingested, only 1 2 mgrms. more than usual appeared 
in the urine. It is very likely that this slight excess in excretion 
may have been due to the fact that the large amount of iron taken 
corroded the intestinal epithelium, which therefore allowed a 
little iron to be absorbed. This experiment appears to show that 
no appreciable amount of iron, given as a drug, is absorbed, but 
it is possible that it may have been locked up in the body, or 
eliminated by some other channel than the urine ; and of these 
suppositions, the most likely is, that it was excreted from the blood 
into the intestine. It is often stated that the excretion of iron 
into the intestine takes place by the bile, but the most recent 
observations of Bunge and Hamburger show that the bile contains 
the merest traces of iron. In favor of iron being excreted into 
the intestines by the intestinal and gastric juices is the fact that 
the faeces of a fasting dog contain iron, but it is very little, and 
it must be remembered that the epithelium of the intestine, which 
is constantly being shed, normally contains iron. There is little 
doubt but that iron salts injected into the blood are excreted into 
the intestine, but this injection causes symptoms of poisoning, 
such as reduced blood-pressure, gastro-intestinal irritation, and 
paralysis of the muscles, due to depression of the central nervous 



IRON. 179 

system. But as these symptoms never follow the administration 
of large amounts of iron salts by the mouth, it would appear that 
they are not absorbed, and this confirms the experiment already 
described. On the whole, therefore, although the question is not 
definitely settled, the balance of evidence is that iron salts given 
as drugs are not absorbed from the intestine. 

Blood. — It is often stated that the administration of iron 
causes, in healthy subjects, an increase in the number of red 
blood -corpuscles, but this is very doubtful. Probably in health 
it has little or no effect on the blood. 

In certain forms of anaemia (a condition in which the amount 
of haemoglobin and the number of corpuscles are diminished), 
especially in chlorosis, the administration of iron rapidly improves 
the blood in both respects. It is therefore said to be hsema- 
tinic ; and as an improvement in the quality of the blood leads 
to an improvement in the functions of all the organs of the body, 
iron is also called a tonic. Tonics are drugs which indirectly 
improve the action of the several organs of the body ; usually 
they act by increasing the quality of blood or by aiding digestion, 
and thus rendering the digestion and absorption of the food 
more easy {see p. 107). We have seen that iron is probably not 
absorbed, and hence it is at first sight difficult to understand how 
it can benefit anaemia. But the proposition that iron salts cannot 
be absorbed only refers to inorganic salts. It is obvious that iron 
in some form must be absorbed, if not the chicken could not 
get it from the yolk, and the growing child could not increase 
the quantity of its blood proportionately to its growth. It is 
noticeable that our food, like yolk of egg, only contains complex 
organic compounds of iron. As these must be absorbed we may 
conclude that they are in some way or other protected from 
decomposition in the alimentary canal, for we have seen that in 
all probability the inorganic compounds which would result if 
they were decomposed are incapable of absorption. Bunge's 
hypothesis is that in some forms of anaemia, especially chlorosis, 
organic salts of iron taken in the food are in some way split up 
in the intestines so as to be incapable of absorption. In those 



l80 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

anaemic conditions which can be benefited by iron the adminis- 
tration of the inorganic salts prevents the decomposition of the 
organic salts in the food by fixing the decomposing agents, which 
according to Bunge are chiefly alkaline sulphides. This is sup- 
ported by the fact that to cure chlorosis rapidly, enormous doses 
of iron are often found to be necessary ; for example, a patient will 
take 6 grains of reduced iron three times a day, or 18 grains a day. 
Now, the whole amount of iron in the blood of an ordinary healthy 
woman is not much if at all more than 30 grains, for there is 
only one atom of iron in a molecule of haemoglobin, which con- 
tains considerably over 2000 atoms. Supposing she had lost half 
her haemoglobin, if the iron given were simply absorbed, one 
day's treatment would speedily restore her health, but it is well 
known that weeks are often required. Another argument point- 
ing in the same direction is that arsenic, manganese, or copper 
will, it is stated, cure the anaemia almost as efficiently as iron. 

Remote effects. —As iron in anaemic subjects increases the 
amount of haemoglobin, more oxygen is carried to the tissues, 
and thus the whole body shares in the benefit of a course of iron, 
which has also been thought to have a direct effect on the 
kidneys as a mild diuretic, and a direct effect in promoting the 
menstrual flow. These actions are, however, slight, and may be 
due to the general improvement in health. Iron salts have been 
given to produce abortion, but without any result. Remote 
astringent effects have been attributed to them, but there is no 
satisfactory proof that they have any ; and, indeed, when we 
remember that very little if any iron is absorbed in an astringent 
form, we should hardly expect that salts of iron could be 
remotely haemostatic or astringent. 

Therapeutics of Iron and its Salts. 
External. — Solutions of the sulphate, the chloride, the 
nitrate, and the Liquor Ferri Subsulphatis (Monsel's solution), 
are the most valuable local astringents we have. It matters very 
little which of these is used. In England the solution of the 
chloride is perhaps oftenest employed. Either is of service in 



IRON. 151 

many cases — for example, to stop haemorrhage from leech-bites, 
from the nose, from piles, or from the uterus, as in the haemor- 
rhage of malignant disease. A convenient way to employ them 
is on lint or cotton soaked in the solution, and a cavity such as 
the nose or uterus may be plugged with the lint. The aqueous 
solution of the chloride has been used as a spray for haemoptysis, 
but as it may excite coughing, it is not to be recommended. 
These preparations form very nasty clots, which readily decom- 
pose and give rise to septic infection. It is very useful as an 
astringent for painting on the fauces, pharynx or tonsils in in- 
flammation of these parts. It may, for this purpose, be diluted 
with an equal quantity of water, or a solution of i part of [ferric] 
chloride in 4 of glycerin may be used. It has been advised to 
paint erysipelatous skin with the tincture of [ferric] chloride. A 
solution of the sulphate (1 gr. to £j) has been used in gleet. 

Internal. — Gastro-intestinal tract. — The astringent prepara- 
tions may be swallowed in cases of severe bleeding from the stom- 
ach, such as that of malignant disease, ulcer, or cirrhosis. If 
the bleeding is profuse, a drachm of the Liquor Ferri Chloridi 
with a drachm of glycerin, to facilitate swallowing, may be given 
every hour or oftener, and this will sometimes apparently save a 
patient's life. For less serious haemorrhage smaller quantities 
will suffice. Intestinal haemorrhage may also be treated in the 
same way. 

The tendency of the ferric salts to constipate is usually over- 
come by the addition of some purgative; thus magnesium sul- 
phate is commonly given with the chloride, and aloes is often 
prescribed with [ferrous] sulphate in a pill. [This method, how- 
ever, interferes with the absorption of iron, and it is better to ad- 
minister the laxative separately, so that the dose can be regulated 
according to circumstances.] The ferric salts have been given for 
diarrhoea, but there are many drugs more suitable for this symp- 
tom. Chronic constipation is often very effectually treated by a 
pill of [ferrous] sulphate and extract of nux vomica, but probably 
the efficient purgative in it is the nux vomica, although some 
claim that large doses of [ferrous] sulphate will overcome chronic 



1 82 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

constipation. [At least] the constipating effect of the ferric salts 
is often much exaggerated. 

A rectal injection of a fluid drachm of the tincture of ferric 
chloride to half a pint of water kills threadworms [the patient 
being in the knee-chest position.] 

Arsenical poisoning is best treated by the humid ferric oxide, 
which should be freshly prepared by mixing together 3 fl. oz. 
of Liquor Ferri Tersulphatis with 1 oz. of sodium carbonate 
diluted with water. Half an ounce should be given every five or 
ten minutes. An insoluble arsenite is formed, and may be gotten 
rid of by a thoroughly purgative dose of magnesium sulphate or 
some other simple purge [A better method of using iron for 
this purpose is given on p. 172.] 

Blood. — The great use of iron salts is to restore the amount 
of haemoglobin in the number of red corpuscles in anaemia, espe- 
cially chlorosis. They are useless in pernicious anaemia, and 
generally of little value, if any, in the anaemia of leucocythaemia, 
exophthalmic goitre, or Hodgkin's disease. All other common 
forms of anaemia are secondary to some definite cause, such as 
haemorrhage, lead poisoning, scurvy, &c, and are treated by the 
removal, if possible, of the cause of the anaemia, but recovery 
may be aided by the administration of iron. The [ferric] chlo- 
ride and the [ferrous] sulphate are two of the most efficacious 
preparations, and pills containing a grain of the dried sulphate, 
with aloes or nux vomica, if constipation is present, are very val- 
uable. It is usual to begin with one pill containing one grain 
of the dried [ferrous] sulphate thrice a day, but gradually the 
number of pills may be increased till three or four are taken at a 
dose. This method of large doses of the sulphate often appears to 
cure more rapidly than smaller doses. If these astringent prepa- 
rations cause indigestion, any of the milder preparations may be 
substituted. The carbonate may be given in pills in rapidly 
increasing doses, or the dose of reduced iron, conveniently given 
on bread and butter, may be pushed. Mistura Ferri Composita 
[Griffith's Mixture] is a disagreeable preparation to take and to 
look at, and the inky character of the aromatic mixture makes it 



IRON. 



undesirable. The styptic taste of some of the preparations, espe- 
cially the astringent ones, may be concealed by giving them with 
a drachm of glycerin, which acts by its viscosity and by reducing 
some of the ferric to a ferrous salt. It is often added to the 
tincture of the chloride. The scale preparations hardly ever dis- 
agree ; they are therefore used for patients with a delicate diges- 
tion, and for such it is much better to make no attempt to 
rapidly increase the dose, but to depend on small doses spread 
over a long period. Mineral waters containing iron (such as 
those of La Bourboule and Levico) or the red wines may be given 
in such cases, but they are not often advisable, as they contain so 
little iron. Treatment of anaemia by iron leads, of course, to the 
improvement of the numerous symptoms, such as amenorrhoea, 
constipation, dyspepsia, &c, which are dependent upon the anae- 
mia. That form of neuralgia which is associated with anaemia 
usually yields to iron. 

Ferrous iodide has been given, sometimes apparently with 
success, in cases of rheumatoid arthritis. 

Large doses of iron (10 or even 20 minims of the tincture 
of the chloride every hour or two) have been given in diphtheria 
and other forms of bad sore throat, apparently with consider- 
able benefit. Erysipelas has been treated in the same way. 
Fever due to other causes is said to contra-indicate the use 
of iron. 

Kidney. — Iron salts are reported to have a feeble diuretic ac- 
tion, but this is doubtful. The chloride is often given empirically 
for all forms of Bright's disease. 'Whether it does good is at 
present undecided. 

As iron is liable to cause indigestion, it should not be given 
near a meal. Occasionally a patient is found who cannot take 
iron in any form, because of the headache and indigestion caused 
by it. 

The different preparations of Iron. — These have already been classified. 
into astringent and non-astringent. There are some, viz., the Iodide, the 
Phosphate, the Iron and Quinine Citrate, and the Iron and Strychnine Citrate, 
the value of which depends in part at least upon their other ingredients. The 



184 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

[Ferric] Phosphate, which always contains some free Phosphoric Acid, is an 
excellent Hsematinic. It is used largely for children, because the syrup of it 
is very pleasant in taste, and also because it was formerly believed that the 
Phosphoric Acid would aid the growth of bones, especially in cases of rickets. 
Parrish's food and Dusart's syrup both have for their chief ingredient Ferric 
Phosphate ; the dose of each is ^ to 2 fl. dr. Easton's syrup is a syrup of the 
Iron, Quinine, and Strychnine Phosphates. It contains in I fl. dr., I gr. of 
[Ferric] Phosphate, ^ gr. of Quinine Phosphate, and -^ gr. of Strychnine. 
The dose is l / 2 to 1 fl. dr. [Ferrous] Iodide has been introduced for cases 
in which we wish to gain the benefit of both elements, but the proportion 
of Iron to Iodine is small (7 to 17). It is especially prone to damage the 
teeth. The Iron and Quinine Citrates combine the virtues of both Iron and 
Quinine. It is a favorite, mild preparation for slight cases of anaemia, but 
must not be prescribed with Alkalies, as they precipitate the Quinine, 

II. MANGANUM. 

Mn.=54.8. 

1. MANGANI DIOXIDUM.— [Manganese Dioxide. Mn0 2 =86.72. 
Synonym* — Black Manganese Oxide. 

Source. — Native crude Manganese Dioxide containing at least 66 per 
cent, of the pure Dioxide. 

Characters. — A heavy, grayish-black, more, or less gritty powder. Sol- 
ubility. — Insoluble in water or Alcohol. Used for making Chlorine, Corro- 
sive Mercuric Chloride and Potassium Permanganate. 

Dose, 2 to 10 gr.] 

2. [MANGANI SULPHAS.— Manganese Sulphate. MnS0 4 +4H 2 
=222.46. Synonym. — Manganous Sulphate. 

Source. — By heating the Dioxide with sufficiently strong Sulphuric Acid. 
Evaporation and crystallization. 

Characters. — Colorless, or pale, rose-colored, transparent tetragonal 
prisms, having a slightly bitter and astringent taste. Solubility. — In 0.8 part 
of water; insoluble in Alcohol. 

Impurities. — Zinc, Copper, Iron, Alkalies. 

Dose, 2 to 8 gr.] 

3. POTASSII PERMANGANAS.— Potassium Permanganate. KMn 

4 [=i57.6 7 .] 

Source. — Caustic Potash, Potassium Chlorate and Manganese Dioxide 
are heated together. 6KOH+KC10 3 +3Mn0 2 =3K 2 Mn0 4 +KCl-f3H 2 0. 
The Potassium Manganate is boiled with water till the color changes to purple, 
and the Permanganate is formed. 3K 2 Mn0 4 -f 2H 2 0=2KMn0 4 -f-4KOH 
V-Mn0 2 . The liquid is neutralized with Carbon Dioxide gas and evaporated. 



POTASSIUM PERMANGANATE. 1 85 

Characters. — Slender, [monoclinic prisms of a dark purple color, almost 
opaque by transmitted, and of a blue, metallic lustre by reflected light, and 
having a taste at first sweet, but afterwards disagreeable and astringent.] 
Solubility. — In 16 parts of water; a grain gives a fine purple color to a gallon 
of water. 

Incompatibles. — It is very readily deoxidized in the presence of organic 
matter. It is usually given as a pill or a tabella, and should be made up with 
kaolin, or an explosion will very likely take place. 

Impurities. — Potassium Carbonate, Manganese Dioxide. 

Dose, y 2 to 2 gr. as a pill. 

Action of Potassium Permanganate. 

External. — In a solid form it is a mild caustic, and is, when 
kept dry, a permanent salt. Its most important action is that 
when moist it readily gives up its oxygen in the presence of 
organic bodies, and its solutions therefore quickly turn dark 
brown, manganese dioxide being formed. The power possessed 
by its solution of giving up oxygen makes it a disinfectant, 
deodorant, and antiseptic, especially as much of the oxygen 
is in the form of ozone. But its action as a germicide is very 
limited, for it so readily gives up its oxygen to the organic sub- 
stances in which the micro-organisms flourish that it very soon 
becomes inert. 

Internal. — Potassium permanganate, when taken internally, 
must be quickly decomposed. Manganese salts cannot be ab- 
sorbed by the intestine unless its epithelium is damaged. When 
they are injected into the blood they are excreted in the urine 
and into the intestine. Probably their action much resembles 
that of iron salts, but so little is known on this point that it is 
doubtful if they should be considered of value. 

Therapeutics of Potassium Permanganate. 

External. — Although potassium permanganate is not of 
much practical use as a germicide, it is commonly employed as a 
deodorant for drains, bed-pans, to wash utensils, and to wash the 
hands ; for the last purpose it is suitable as being non-irritant. 
It has one advantage, namely, that it is easy by its change in color 
to see when it has lost its efficacy. One in 150 is a serviceable 



1 86 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

strength. Condy's red fluid consists of 8 grains of [potassium] 
permanganate] to the fluid ounce of distilled water. It is expen- 
sive for purposes requiring a large quantity. It stains fabrics 
The stain may be got out by applying sulphurous acid, but the 
fabric must be immediately rinsed in water, for sulphuric acid is 
formed. 

Internal. — The liquor of potassium permanganate [B. P., 
i in ioo of distilled water], considerably diluted, can be used 
as a mouth wash or gargle in foul conditions of the mouth, or 
as an injection in cases of foul discharges, such as may occur 
with gonorrhoea, vaginitis, uterine disease or ozaena. Some con- 
sider that potassium permanganate is beneficial for the same cases 
of anaemia as iron, but it is not nearly so much used ; others 
praise its power in amenorrhoea. It should be always given as a 
pill, for the taste of solution of it is very nasty. If it is of [any] 
use in anaemia, it probably acts in the same way as iron. 



GROUP VI. 

Aurum, Hydrargyrum. 
I. AURUM. 

Au=i96.7. 
[AURI ET SODII CHLORIDUM.— Gold and Sodium Chloride. A 

mixture composed of equal parts by weight of dry Gold Chloride (AuCl 3 = 
302.81) and Sodium Chloride (NaCl=58.37). 

Characters. — An orange-yellow powder, odorless, having a saline and 
metallic taste, and a slightly acid reaction. Solubility. — Very soluble in water, 
and at least one-half is soluble in Alcohol. % 

Dose, sV to tV gr. 

The Action of Gold and Sodium Chloride. 

In small doses the gold and sodium chloride is supposed to 
promote appetite and digestion, to stimulate the functions of the 
brain and to be an aphrodisiac. Full doses cause nausea and 
vomiting, and finally impair nutrition. The toxic symptoms re- 
semble those of poisoning by corrosive mercuric chloride. 



MERCURY. % 187 

Therapeutics of Gold and Sodium Chloride. 

It is a useful remedy in irritative dyspepsia, gastro-duodenal 

catarrh, hypochondriasis, chronic ovarian irritation and ovaritis, 

in chronic albuminuria, hepatic sclerosis, granular kidney, as it 

prevents hyperplasia of connective tissue. It is a valuable remedy 

in the tertiary manifestations of syphilis, especially of the bones, 

and presents fewer disadvantages than does the corrosive mercuric 

chloride.] 

II. HYDRARGYRUM. 

Hg.=i 99 .8. 
[HYDRARGYRUM.— Mercury. Synonym.— Quicksilver. 

Source. — Cinnabar, the native Sulphide, is roasted or distilled with Lime, 
the volatile Mercury is condensed in suitable aludels. 

Characters. A shining, silver-white metal, easily divisible into small 
globules. Sp. gr. 13.5584.] 

Impurities. — Lead, Tin, and other metals. 
Preparations. 

1. Hydrargyrum cum Creta. — [Mercury with Chalk. Syno- 
nym. — Gray powder. 

By trituration of Mercury, 38; Prepared Chalk, 57 ; Clarified honey, 
10; with sufficient water to 100. By keeping, the Mercury is liable 
to become Mercuric Oxide, which makes the powder more active. 
Strength. — 38 per cent, of Mercury.] 

Dose, y^ to 10 gr. 

2. Emplastrum Hydrargyri. — [Mercurial Plaster. Mercury, 
300; Oleate of Mercury, 12; Lead Plaster to 1000. Strength. — 30 
per cent, of Mercury.] 

3. Emplastrum Ammoniaci cum Hydrargyo. — [Ammoniac 
Plaster with Mercury.] Mercury, 180; Oleate of Mercury, 8; an 
evaporated solution of Ammoniac, 720; in diluted Acetic Acid, 1000 ; 
and Lead Plaster a sufficient quantity to 1000. Strength. — 1.8 per 
cent, of Mercury.] 

4. Massa Hydrargyri. — [Mass of Mercury.] Synonym. — Blue 
Mass. [Blue Pill. Pilulae Hydrargyri. Mercury, 33; Honey of Rose, 
34; Glycyrrhiza, 5; Althaea, 25; Glycerin, 3. Strength. — 33 per cent, 
of Mercury. 

Dose, )/ z to 15 gr.] 

5. Unguentum Hydrargyri. — [Mercurial Ointment. Synonym. 
— Blue Ointment. Mercury, 500; Lard, 250; Suet, 230; Oleate of 
Mercury, 20. Strength. — 50 per cent, of Mercury.] 



I05 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

2. HYDRARGYRI OXIDUM RUBRUM.— [Red Mercuric Oxide. 
HgO=2i5.76. Synonym. — Red Precipitate. 

Source.— Dissolve Mercury in diluted Nitric Acid. 3Hg+8HN0 3 = 
3Hg(N0 3 ) 2 +2NO-f-4H 2 0. Evaporate to dryness. Triturate the Mercuric 
Nitrate thus formed with Mercury, and heat. 2Hg(N0 3 ) 2 4-Hg 2 =4HgO+ 
2N 2 4 . 

Characters. — Heavy orange-red, crystalline scales, or a crystalline 
powder; having a somewhat metallic taste. Solubility. — Almost insoluble in 
water.] 

Impurities. — Red Lead, Brick Dust, Mercuric Nitrate. 

Dose, X to x S T - 

Preparation. 

Unguentum Hydrargyri Oxidi Rubri. — [Ointment of Red Mer- 
curic Oxide. Synonym. — Red Precipitate Ointment. Red Mercuric 
Oxide, 10; Castor Oil, 5; Ointment, 85.] 

3. HYDRARGYRI OXIDUM FLAVUM.- [Yellow Mercuric Ox- 
ide. HgO— 215.76.] 

Source. — Precipitate a solution of Corrosive Mercuric Chloride, 1000; 
with Soda, 40. HgCl 2 +2NaOH=HgO+2NaCl+H 2 0. 

Characters. — [A light orange-yellow amorphous, heavy, impalpable 
powder, having a somewhat metallic taste.] Not given internally. It is con- 
tained in Lotio Hydrargyri Flava [B.P. — Corrosive Mercuric Chloride, 1 ; Lime 
Water, 243]. It has the same composition as the Red Oxide, but is more 
crystalline. 

Preparations. 

1. Unguentum Hydrargyri Oxidi Flavi. — Ointment of yellow 
Mercuric Oxide. Yellow Mercuric Oxide, 10; Ointment, 90. 

2. Oleatum Hydrargyri. — Oleate of Mercury. Yellow Mercuric 
Oxide, 200; Oleic Acid, 800.] 

4. HYDRARGYI [CHLORIDUM CO RROSIVUM.— Corrosive 

Mercuric Chloride. HgCl 2 =2 70.54. Synonyms. — Corrosive Sublimate, Mer- 
cury Bichloride, Corrosive Chloride of Mercury. 

Source. — Heat a mixture of Mercuric Sulphate, Sodium Chloride, and 
Manganese Dioxide. HgS0 4 +2NaCl+ Mn0 2 = HgCl 2 +Na 2 S0 4 + Mn0 2 . 
The [Corrosive] Chloride sublimes and is condensed. The object of the Man- 
ganese Dioxide is to prevent the formation of Mercurous Chloride by setting 
free Chlorine, which will convert it into Mercuric Chloride. 

Characters. — Heavy, colorless [rhombic crystals, or crystalline masses, 
having an acrid and persistent metallic taste.] Sohibility. — In [16 parts of 
water; in 3 parts of Alcohol.] 



MERCURY. 189 

Incompatibles. — Alkalies and their carbonates, Potassium Iodide, Lime 
Water, Tartar Emetic, Silver Nitrate, Lead Acetate, Albumin, soaps, vegetable 
preparations containing Tannic Acid, and in fact most substances. 

Dose, hV to tV gr. 

5. HYDRARGYRI [CHLORIDUM MITE.— Mild Mercurous 
Chloride. Hg 2 Cl 2 =470.34. Synonyms. — Calomel, Mild Chloride of Mer- 
cury, Subchloride of Mercury,] 

Source. — Rub Mercury with Mercuric Sulphate to form Mercurous Sul- 
phate, Hg 2 S0 4 . Add Sodium Chloride, and then heat, the Calomel sublimes. 
Hg 2 S0 4 +2NaCl=Hg 2 Cl 2 4-Na 2 S0 4 . 

Characters. — A [white, impalpable powder without odor or taste.] 

Impurities. — Corrosive Mercuric Chloride. 

Dose, y 2 to j\ gr. 

Preparations. 

1. Pilulae Catharticae Compositae. — [Compound Cathartic Pills. 
Mild Mercurous Chloride, 60 ; Compound Extract of Colocynth, 80 ; 
Extract of Jalap, 30; Gamboge, 15 gm. , to make 1000 pills.] 

Dose, 1 to 3 pills. 

2. Pilulae Antimonii Compositae. — [Compound Pills of Anti- 
mony. Synonym. — Plummer's Pills. Mild Mercurous Chloride, 4 ; 
Sulphurated Antimony, 4; Guaiac, 8 gm. ; Castor Oil, a sufficient quan- 
tity to make 100 pills. 

Dose, 1 to 3 pills.] 

6. HYDRARGYRI IODIDUM RUB RUM .-[Red Mercuric Iodide. 
Hgl 2 =452.86. Synonyms. — Mercury Biniodide, Red Iodide of Mercury. 

Source. — Mix h t solutions of Corrosive Mercuric Chloride and Potas- 
sium Iodide. Filter and dry the precipitated Red Iodide. HgCl 2 -j-2Kl= 
Hgl,+2KC1. 

Characters. — A scarlet-red, amorphous powder. Solubility. — Almost 
insoluble in water, but freely soluble in a solution of Potassium Iodide.] 

Impurities. — The same as of the Corrosive Chloride. 

Dose, ^ to A gr. 

Preparation. 

Liquor Arseni et Hydrargyri Iodidi. — [Solution of Arsenic and 
Mercuric Iodide. Synonym. — Donovan's Solution. Dissolve Arsenic 
Iodide, 10; and Red Mercuric Iodide, 10; in distilled water, 1000. 

Characters. — A clear, pale-yellowish liquid, having a disagree- 
able, metallic taste.] Strength. — I per cent, of each Iodide. 
Dose, 1 to 10 m. 



I9O INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

7. [HYDRARGYRI IODIDUM FLAVUM.- Hg 2 I 2 =6sf 66 - 

Yellow Mercurous Iodide. Synonyms. — Mercury Protiodide, Yellow or Green 
Mercury Iodide. 

Source. — By pouring a solution of Potassium Iodide, 24; in distilled 
water, 1000, into a solution of Mercurous Nitrate, 40; in Nitric Acid, 10 ; 
and distilled water, 1000. The precipitate is washed and dried. The Mer- 
curous Nitrate is obtained from Mercury treated by a solution of Nitric Acid 
in distilled water, by filtration. Hg 2 (N0 3 ) 2 +2KI=Hg 2 I 2 -f 2KNO3]. 

Characters. — A bright yellow amorphous powder, odorless and taste- 
less. Solubility, — Almost insoluble in water, and wholly insoluble in Alco- 
hol and Ether. 

Dose, ye to 1 gr.] 

8. LIQUOR HYDRARGYRI NITRATIS.— [Solution of Mer- 
curic Nitrate. A liquid containing about 60 per cent, of Mercuric Nitrate. 
Hg(N0 3 ) 2 =323.58, together with about 11 percent, of free Nitric Acid. 

Source. — Dissolve Red Mercuric Oxide, 40 ; in Nitric Acid, 45 ; with 
distilled water, 15, and heat. 

Characters. — A clear, nearly heavy, colorless liquid, having a faint 
odor of Nitric Acid. Sp. gr. about 2.100.] 

Impurity. — Mercurous Nitrate. 

9. UNGUENTUM HYDARGYRI NITRATIS.— [Ointment of 
Mercuric Nitrate.] Synonym. — Citrine Ointment. 

Source. — Mix a hot solution of Mercury, 70; in Nitric Acid, 175 ; with 
Lard Oil, 760. 

Characters. — A lemon-yellow ointment. 

10. HYDRARGYRUM AMMONIATUM.— Ammoniated Mercury. 
NH 2 HgCl[=25l.i8.] Synonyms. —White Precipitate, [Mercuric Ammonium 
Chloride. ] 

Source. — Mix solutions of Ammonia, 100; and Corrosive Mercuric 
Chloride, 100. HgCl 2 +2NH 4 OH=NH 2 HgCl+NH 4 Cl-r-2H 2 0. Filter and 
wash the precipitated Ammoniated Mercury. 

Characters. — [White, pulverulent pieces, or a white, amorphous powder, 
having an earthy, afterwards styptic and metallic taste. Solubility. — Almost 
insoluble in water or Alcohol.] 

Impurities. — The same as of the [Corrosive Chloride. 

Preparation. 

Unguentum Hydrargyri Ammoniati. — Ointment of Ammoniated 
Mercury. Synonym. — White Precipitate Ointment. [Ammoniated 
Mercury, 10 ; Benzoinated Lard, 90.] 



MERCURY. I9I 

11. [HYDRARGYRI CYANIDUM.— Mercuric Cyanide. Hg(CN) 2 
=251.76. 

Source. — By boiling pure Potassium Ferrocyanide with Mercuric Sul 
phate in water, and recrystallization from diluted Alcohol. 7HgS0 4 -f 
2K^eCN 6 =Hg + 6HgCN 2 + 4K 2 S0 4 +Fe 2 (S0 4 ) 3 . 

Characters. — Colorless or white prismatic crystals, odorless, having a 
bitter, metallic taste. Sohible. — In 12.8 parts of water, and 15 parts of 
Alcohol. 

Dose, sV to to gr. 

12. HYDRARGYRI SUBSULPHAS FLAVUS.— Yellow Mer- 
curic Subsulphate. Hg(HgO) 2 S0 4 =727.4. Synony?ns. — Turpeth Mineral, 
Basic Mercuric Sulphate. 

Source. — By solution of Mercury, 100 ; Sulphuric Acid, 30 ; Nitric 
Acid, 25 ; water, a sufficient quantity; decantation, drying of the residue. 

Characters. — A heavy, lemon-yellow powder, odorless and almost 
tasteless. Solubility. — In about 2000 parts of water; insoluble in Alcohol. 

Dose, 2 to 4 gr.] 

Action of Mercury and its Salts. 
External. — [Corrosive mercuric chloride] is one of the 
most powerful and important antiseptics with which we are 
acquainted. In 1870 it was discovered that 1 part in 6000 would 
kill infusoria and spermatozoa. Now it is known to be a universal 
germicide. The published results of experiments with it vary 
very much, because the duration of the action, the solvent, and 
the micro-organism experimented upon, are not always the same. 
Evans (Guy's Hosp. Rep., vol. xlvii) found that anthrax spores 
were destroyed by [corrosive mercuric chloride] solutions of 1 in 
1000 acting for a quarter of an hour, and 1 in 3000 acting for one 
hour. The bacilli themselves were destroyed by solutions of 1 in 
15,000 acting for one minute, and 1 in 25,000 acting for half an 
hour. A solution of 1 in 70,000 prevented the growth of the 
spores, and one of 1 in 500,000 prevented the growth of the 
bacilli. A reference to carbolic acid (g. v.) will show how much 
more powerful corrosive mercuric chloride is. A solution of 1 in 
1000 is very commonly employed for many disinfecting purposes. 
If albumin be present in the fluid to be disinfected, an albuminate 
of mercury is formed, and the antiseptic value of the fluid is 



192 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

destroyed. This change may be prevented by the addition of 5 
parts of either hydrochloric or tartaric acid to 1 of corrosive mer- 
curic [chloride.] The [red mercuric iodide] is also a powerful 
antiseptic. Metallic instruments cannot be disinfected with the 
[corrosive chloride] for mercury deposited on them. 

Most mercurials, especially the oleate, oxide, ammoniated, 
nitrate and [corrosive chloride], will destroy the animal and vege- 
table parasites that infest the skin; they are, therefore, antipar- 
asitic. Also most of them will occasionally relieve itching, 
even when no cause is to be found. 

The mercurial preparations, especially the red mercuric iodide 
and the nitrate, are powerful irritants. The latter is strongly 
caustic. Mercurous salts are slightly irritant and stimulating; 
calomel is sometimes applied to sores for this property. 

Metallic mercury and its salts are absorbed by the skin, 
especially when rubbed in either as an oleate or an ointment. 
These preparations are also taken up, although to a less degree, 
if simply applied to the skin, which likewise allows the metal or 
its salts to pass through when in the form of a fine vapor. All 
the symptoms of mercurial poisoning can be produced if the drug 
is absorbed through the skin. The vapor can be absorbed 
through the mucous membrane of the lungs. 

Internal. — Although the different salts of mercury have 
different external actions, after absorption their actions are, in 
most respects, similar. The long-continued use of excessive doses 
of mercurials produces well-marked and important symptoms {see 
Toxicology). The actions for which mercurials are used in 
medicine are the following : 

Stomach and intestines. — The metal mercury itself and mer- 
curous compounds, being mildly irritant in their action, are 
often used as purgatives ; but the mercuric compounds given in 
the same doses produce severe gastro-intestinal irritation. The 
action is chiefly on the duodenum and upper part of the jejunum; 
the precise mode of irritation is unknown, but it is certain that, 
in consequence of the administration of the mercurial, the con- 
tents of the duodenum are hurried along before there is time for 



MERCURY. 193 

the bile to be reabsorbed, and hence the motions are very dark- 
colored. There is probably some, but not an excessive increased 
secretion from the intestinal walls, for the motions, although large 
and loose, are not watery. As the action of the mercurial is 
chiefly on the upper part of the intestine, it is greatly assisted by 
giving a saline purge a few hours after it, for this will act more 
on the lower part of the bowel. The contents are passed along 
so quickly, that it is doubtful whether there is time for much 
mercury to be absorbed if a purgative dose of it has been given. 
Calomel and the metallic preparations are the two forms most 
used as purgatives. The former is the more powerful. 

Whatever compound of mercury is taken by the mouth, it, in 
the stomach, becomes a complex albuminate containing mercury, 
sodium, chlorine, and albumin. This compound in the presence 
of the sodium chloride in the stomach, can exist in solution 
there. Precisely what happens to it in the duodenum is doubtful; 
but it is quite certain that if the dose is insufficient to cause pur- 
gation some mercury is absorbed, the rest passing out of the 
bowel as a sulphide. 

Liver. — It was formerly taught that calomel increased the 
amount of bile formed by the liver. This is now known to be 
an error, but [corrosive mercuric chloride] increases it, and possi- 
bly, occasionally when calomel is administered, some of it is con- 
verted into the [corrosive chloride]. Large doses of calomel are 
said to slightly diminish the secretion of bile. Calomel and, to 
a less extent, preparations of metallic mercury are, however, 
called indirect cholagogues, because they, in the manner 
already explained, aid the excretion of bile. 

Blood. — After absorption the mercurial compound formed in 
the stomach and intestines probably becomes oxidized, and circu- 
lates as an oxyalbuminate. Minute, long-continued doses of mer- 
cury slightly increase the richness of the blood in red corpuscles, 
and in animals may add a little to the weight of the body. 
Large doses produce anaemia. 

Remote effects. — Mercury is excreted by the saliva, bile, urine, 
sweat, and milk. In small doses no effects can be attributed to 
17 



194 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

this, but in large doses mercury irritates the salivary glands and 
is a powerful sialogogue. By itself it is a feeble diuretic^ but 
it sometimes powerfully aids other diuretics. It is eliminated 
very slowly, and hence accumulates in the body. 

Therapeutics of Mercury and its Salts. 

External. — Antiseptic action. — Solutions of the corrosive 
chloride are very largely employed. A strength of i in iooo is 
used for washing the hands, for washing the parts to be operated 
upon, for soaking towels, lint, sponges, etc., used in operations, 
for washing infected articles, infected rooms, furniture, linen, etc. 
For wounds and cavities (as the uterus), the strength for a single 
washing should not exceed i in 2000, for continual irrigation 1 
in 10,000. 

Antiparasitic action. — White precipitate ointment, diluted 
[mercuric] nitrate ointment, and a wash of the [corrosive] chlor- 
ide are very useful for destroying lice on the head ; and these 
three, especially the last, are excellent for destroying the fungus 
in ringworm and favus The oleate of mercury is useful for de- 
stroying that in pityriasis versicolor ; if the skin is easily irritated 
it should be sufficiently diluted. Mercurials should not be 
applied over so large an area that there is a risk of poisoning 
from absorption. 

Irritant action. — The solution of the nitrate is used to destroy 
warts, condylomata, etc.; no doubt much of its caustic action is 
due to the free nitric acid it contains. Milder preparations, such 
as the ointment of the [mercuric] nitrate, or of the red [mercuric] 
oxide, if diluted, may be used for tinea tarsi ; and the same 
ointments are very beneficial to any ulcer or sore that requires a 
stimulant, whether or not it be syphilitic. When a milder prepa- 
ration is required calomel is often dusted on the part ; and black 
wash [(Lotio Hydrargyri Nigra, B.P. — Calomel, 1; lime water, 
146;)] is very commonly used, especially for syphilitic sores and 
condylomata. 

Itching. — Black wash, yellow wash, T(Lotio Hydrargyri Flava)] 
{see p. 188), or Unguentum Hydrargyri may be employed to 



MERCURY. 195 

relieve the itching of skin diseases, such as pruritus senilis and 
urticaria, if they are not' too extensive. A very favorite ointment 
for many skin diseases is composed of equal parts of the diluted 
mercuric nitrate, zinc oxide and lead [acetate] ointments {see p. 
162). 

Absorbent action. — All mercurial ointments and the oleate, 
when applied to or gently rubbed into any part which is chroni- 
cally inflamed, often aid the absorption of the products of inflam- 
mation, if they are not too deep-seated. For this purpose blue 
ointment, or the oleate, are very commonly used for chronic 
inflammation of joints, chronically enlarged glands, and chronic 
peritonitis, which certainly sometimes appears to be cured by the 
application of a binder spread with one of these preparations or 
the Linimentum Hydrargyri [B. P., which consists of 1 part each 
of mercurial ointment, solution of ammonia and camphor lini- 
ment] even when the disease is tuberculous. The ointment of 
the red [mercuric] iodide is, in India, applied to the thyroid 
gland in goitre. 

Internal. — Alimentary canal. — Very dilute solutions (4 gr. 
to 10 fl. oz. water with 8 HI of diluted hydrochloric acid) may be 
used as a mouth wash for syphilitic ulceration. Ringer advises 
gray powder [(Hydrargum cum Creta)] in minute doses for the 
sudden vomiting immediately after food sometimes met with in 
children. By far the most important intestinal action of mercury 
is its purgative effect. Calomel and blue pill are pre-eminently 
the purgatives to employ when there is, from the headache, con- 
stipation, furred tongue, feeling of weight over the liver, and 
general lassitude, reason to suspect that the dyspepsia is hepatic. 
Either of these drugs at night, followed by a watery purge, in the 
morning, will often completely relieve the symptoms. The blue 
pill at night, and black draught (Infusum Sennae Compositum) 
in the morning have long been a favorite combination. Mercury 
or calomel is also one of the best purgatives for cases of cirrhosis, 
and for cardiac cases in which there is considerable hepatic con- 
gestion. Gray powder mixed with a little sugar is an excellent 
purgative for children, or even for adults, when a very mild purge 
is required — as, for example, after severe enteritis or peritonitis, 



I96 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

or if it is desirable to open the bowels during typhoid fever. 
Children take mercury very well. Infants can easily bear grain 
doses of the gray powder. As diarrhoea, especially in children, 
is" so often due to the presence of some irritant, a simple purga- 
tive, as gray powder, will, by removing it, often cure the diar- 
rhoea. This preparation hardly ever causes griping, but calomel 
is liable to do so. 

Remote uses. — In cases of heart disease mercury is often com- 
bined with digitalis and squill as a diuretic (as in the well-known 
Guy's diuretic pill: blue pill, 1 gr. ; powdered squill root, 1 
gr. ; powdered digitalis leaves, 1 gr.; extract of hyoscyamus, 1^ 
gr.), and in some cases this combination does great good. 

Syphilis. — Mercury in any form is powerfully antisyphilitic. 
This action is so important that it makes mercury one of the most 
valuable drugs we have. It has already been mentioned that it 
may be applied locally to syphilitic ulcerations, but to be of any 
use it is essential that it should also be administered so as to reach 
the blood. It is a direct antidote to the syphilitic virus; it can 
completely cure the patient, its use must be continued over a 
long time, but it should never be pushed to salivation. Treatment 
should be begun at as early a stage as possible, as soon as the 
diagnosis is established. It is especially valuable in the primary 
and secondary stages; authorities differ as to its value in tertiary 
syphilis. It is as efficacious for the congenital as for the acquired 
disease. It is also administered for many non-syphilitic varieties 
of chronic inflammation, but not so often as formerly. Patients 
with disease of the kidneys do not bear it well. 

Modes of administration of mercurials. — (1) By the mouth, — The 
Liquor Hydrargyri Perchloridi [B. P. which is one-half grain each of Cor- 
rosive mercuric Chloride and Ammonium Chloride in one ounce of water] is 
often given to adults, usually in doses of 1 to 2 fl. dr. For the later symp- 
toms of syphilis, Potassium Iodide is often combined with it. Mercuric Iodide 
is formed and is kept in solution by the excess of Potassium Iodide. Mercu- 
rous Iodide, known as the [yellow] Iodide is much used by some; the 
dose is yi to I gr. in a pill. It is insoluble in water, and is incompatible with 
Potassium Iodide, the red [Mercuric] Iodide and metallic Mercury being 
formed. It does not keep well. The best preparation for children is ^ to I 
gr. of gray powder, given just often enough to avoid purgation. 



MERCURY. 197 

(2) By the rectum. — Occasionally Mercury is given as a suppository, 
[which is official in the B. P. Each contains 5 grains of Mercurial ointment.] 

(3) Endermically. — Mercurials, especially calomel, are often dusted on 
sores and ulcers, and lotions are also locally applied. Mercury can be ab- 
sorbed in this way. 

(4) By inunction. — Blue ointment may be rubbed into the skin. The 
best position is the inner side of the thigh. Usually a piece the size of the 
top of the thumb, rubbed in once a day, is enough. It has been put inside the 
sock, for then it is rubbed into the foot during walking. A very efficient way 
of applying the ointment in children is to smear it on a flannel binder which is 
worn round the abdomen. The Oleate may be employed for inunction Mer- 
cury is rapidly absorbed by these means. 

(5) Hypodermatically. — One-eighth of a grain or less of the [Corrosive] 
Chloride dissolved in about 5 to 8 Ttl of distilled water is used for a dose. 
The needle of a hypodermatic syringe is plunged deeply into some muscles, pre- 
ferably those of the gluteal region, and to the outer side of it, so that the patient 
does not sit or lie on the spot. One-sixth of a grain of morphine in solution is 
injected. The needle is left in situ, the syringe is taken off and filled to the 
required dose with the [Corrosive] Chloride solution, which is injected 
through the needle. If much pain is caused, a piece of ice may be held over 
the part before the injection and after the needle is withdrawn. The injection 
should be repeated daily ; before going to bed is a good time. With proper 
care no abscesses result. This is a very rapid and thorough way of bringing 
the patient under the influence of mercury. 

(6) Fumigation. — Calomel [or the red Mercuric Sulphide known as 
Cinnabar (not official) the amount required being about a drachm] is used. 
The patient, who is naked, sits on a cane-bottomed chair ; a blanket, which 
reaches to the floor, is fastened lightly round his neck. Twenty grains of 
Calomel are placed in a porcelain dish, over a spirit lamp, under the chair. 
The Calomel volatilizes, and is absorbed by the skin. A bath should last 
twenty minutes ; with obvious modifications this method may be applied to 
patients in bed. 

(7) Inhalation. — This is rarely or never used. 

(8) Baths of three drachms of the [Corrosive] Chloride to thirty gallons 
of water, with one fluid drachm of Hydrochloric Acid added, have been 
used, but they are very rarely employed. 

Toxicology. 
Acute poisoning is rare. Salts of Mercury, especially the Mercuric salts, 
produce severe gastro- intestinal irritation, causing great pain, vomiting and 
diarrhoea. The Corrosive [Chloride] and white precipitate are the prepara- 
tions usually taken. 



I98 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Chronic poisoning by Mercury or its salts produces a train of remarkable 
symptoms. They were very common when it was the practice to give larger 
doses of Mercurials than are now employed, and they are occasionally seen in 
those who work in Mercury. In the present day, when the patient shows any 
sign of Mercurialism, the dose is reduced. The symptoms (which constitute 
Hydrargyrism or Mercurialism) may be brought about however the Mercury is 
taken. The first indications noticed are slight foetor of the breath and soreness 
of the gums when the teeth are brought forcibly together, by closure of the 
jaws. Then follows a disagreeable metallic taste in the mouth, the gums 
become swollen and soft, and they bleed readily. Next there is a considerable 
increase in the amount of saliva secreted. All these symptoms gradually 
become more marked, and the tongue swells. The teeth are now loose, the 
saliva, which is thick and viscid, pours from the mouth, the parotid and salivary 
glands are enlarged and tender, and there is a slight rise of temperature. In 
olden days the symptoms occasionally ended in the falling out of the teeth, 
extensive ulceration of the mouth and tongue, necrosis of the jaw, great weak- 
ness, emaciation, anaemia, a watery state of the blood, a liability to haemorrhages, 
exhaustion and death. 

More rarely the symptoms are, for the most part, nervous. These occur, 
chiefly, if not entirely, among those who work in the metal and inhale the va- 
por. The first to be observed is tremor, beginning in the face, then invading 
the arm, and afterwards the legs. Early in the case the trembling is seen only 
on movement ; soon it is permanent. It resembles paralysis agitans. Usually 
there is considerable weakness of the affected muscles (" Mercurial palsy"). 
There may be pains, and a weak mental condition is common. Nothing has 
been found, post-mortem, to account for these symptoms. 



GROUP VII. 

Arsenic, Antimony, Chromium. 

The compounds of these metals have several physiological and some 
chemical points in common. The oxide of each is externally a powerful caus- 
tic. Internally Arsenic, Antimony, and (as far as we know) Chromium com- 
pounds are severe gastro-intestinal irritants. Arsenic and Antimony in large 
doses both cause general fatty degeneration. 

I. ARSENUM. 

As=74.o. 
1. ACIDUM ARSENOSUM.— [Arsenous Acid. As 2 3 = 197.68. 
Synonyms. — Arsenic Trioxide, White Arsenic] 

Source. — Arsenical ores are roasted and purified by sublimation. 



ARSENIC. 199 

Characters. — A [heavy, solid, occurring either as an opaque, white 
powder, or in irregular masses of two varieties — the one amorphous, transpar- 
ent and colorless, the other crystalline, opaque or white. Solubility. — In 30 
to 80 parts of cold, in 15 parts of boiling water.] 

Incompatiules. — Lime Water, Iron Salts, Magnesia. 

Impurities. — Lime Salts. 

Dose, bo to i<j gr. 

Preparations. 

1. Liquor [Potassii Arsenitis. — Solution of Potassium Arsenite. 
Synonym. — Fowler's solution. Arsenous Acid, 10 ; Potassium Bicar- 
bonate, 20; Compound Tincture of Lavender, 30. Boil in sufficient 
distilled water to make 1 000. ] Probably no decomposition occurs. 
Strength.-. — 1 per cent, of Arsenous Acid. 

Dose, 2 to 10 m. 

2. Liquor [Acidi Arsenosi. — Solution of Arsenous Acid. Arse- 
nous Acid, 10; is boiled with diluted Hydrochloric Acid, 50; and 
distilled water to make 1 000.] No decomposition occurs. Strength. 
— 1 per cent, of Arsenous Acid. 

Dose, 5 to 10 m. 

2. SODII ARSENAS.— Sodium Arsenate. Na 2 HAs0 4 +7H 2 0[= 
311.46.] 

Source. — Heat to redness Arsenous Acid, Sodium Nitrate, and Sodium 
Carbonate ; dissolve the fused mass in water and crystallize. Sodium Pyro- 
arsenate is formed. As 2 3 +2NaN0 3 +Na 2 C0 3 =Na 4 As 2 7 4-N 2 3 +C0 2 . 
On adding water to the Pyroarsenate a solution of Arsenate, which crystallizes 
on standing, is formed. Na 4 As 2 7 -(-H 2 0=2Na 2 HAs0 4 , which crystallizes 
with 7H 2 0. 

Characters. — Colorless, transparent, [monoclinic prisms, having a mild 
alkaline taste. Solubility. — In 4 parts of water.] 

Dose, -h to tV gr. 

Preparation. 

Liquor Sodii Arsenatis. [Solution of Sodium Arsenate. Syn- 
onym. — Pearson's solution (Pearson's solution is really one-tenth as 
strong as the official Liquor Sodii Arsenatis). 

Source. — Dissolve Sodium Arsenate, 1 ; deprived of its water of 
crystallization by heat, in distilled water, 100.] Strength. — I per 
cent, of Sodium Arsenate. 

Dose, 1 to 10 m. 

3. ARSENI IODIDUM.— [Arsenic Iodide. AsI 3 =454.4Q.] 
Source. — Made by the direct union of Iodine and Metallic Arsenic, or 

by mixing solutions of Arsenous and Hydriodic Acids and evaporating. 



200 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Characters. — [Glossy orange-red, crystalline masses, or shining orange- 
red, crystalline scales, having an Iodine-like odor and taste. Solubility. — In 
7 parts of water, and in 30 parts of Alcohol. ] 

Dose, A to to gr. 

Preparation. 

Liquor Arseni et Hydrargyri Iodidi. See Mercury, p. 189. 

Action of Arsenical Compounds. 

External. — Arsenous acid has no action on the skin, but ap- 
plied to raw surfaces it is a powerful caustic. 

Internal. — Alimentary canal. — Unless the dose be very small, 
all preparations containing arsenic are very severe gastrointes- 
tinal irritants {see Toxicology). In minute doses they are 
gastric stimulants, causing dilatation of the gastric vessels and an 
increased flow of gastric juice. Small doses also stimulate the 
duodenum. 

Blood. — Arsenic is absorbed into the blood. Nothing is 
known of its physiological action there ; but it can, in some forms 
of anaemia, increase the haemoglobin and the number of red cor- 
puscles. 

Circulation. — In the frog the rapidity and force of the heart 
are lessened till it finally stops. This is a local action, for it 
takes place when applied to the excised heart. 

Remote effects. — In many diseases arsenic evidently profoundly 
affects metabolism, for the patient recovers under treatment by 
this drug. It is doubtful whether, if given in small doses to 
healthy persons, it usually does more than sharpen the appetite. 
It has been stated by Dogiel to unite with albumin ; another 
view, that of Binz and Schulz, is that arsenous acid becomes 
arsenic acid by taking oxygen from the protoplasm, but that the 
arsenic acid subsequently yields up the oxygen again. Some of 
the people in Styria eat white arsenic in small quantities, and it 
is said to increase their strength and clear their complexion. 
Wood concludes that small doses of arsenic check tissue change 
and decrease nitrogenous elimination, whilst toxic doses have 
the opposite effect But there is no proof of any of these state- 
ments, and we have no certain knowledge of the influence of 



ARSENIC. 20I 

arsenic on nutrition, nor do we know of any action to which its 
beneficial effects in many diseases can be referred ; but as the drug 
certainly in some way alters the condition of the sufferer it is 
vaguely called an alterative. It is eliminated by the urine, 
the alimentary canal, the skin, the saliva, the milk, and even the 
tears. It may be found many years after death in the bodies of 
those who have taken it during life. 

Therapeutics of Arsenical Compounds. 

External. — Formerly arsenic was used as a caustic to destroy 
growths, lupus, warts, etc., either as pure arsenous acid or as a 
paste. Arsenous acid, i ; charcoal, i ; red [mercuric] sulphide, 
4 parts; and water, q. s., is the formula of a paste once very 
popular. It must be used strong enough to make the mass of 
dead tissue slough out quickly, or else the patient becomes poi- 
soned, for the arsenic is rapidly absorbed. Arsenous acid, i ; 
calomel, 8 ; antimony [sulphide, 8 parts ;] make a caustic powder. 
Liquor potassii arsenitis has been recommended by Ringer as an 
application for corns. 

Internal. — Alimentary canal. — Arsenous acid is useful to 
destroy the tooth pulps before filling teeth. 

In some forms of dyspepsia small doses of the liquor potassii 
arsenitis are occasionally given to stimulate the appetite. Arse- 
nic is so liable to cause sickness, diarrhoea, and other symptoms 
of poisoning, that it is a rule always to begin a course of it with 
small doses, say 3 or 4 TTL of the liquor potassii arsenitis, or -fa to 
A £ r - °f ai *senous acid as a pill, and to gradually increase the 
quantity. Arsenic in any form should always be taken imme- 
diately after meals, so as to dilute it by the contents of a full 
stomach. Children bear it well ; old people do not. Very 
small doses sometimes check vomiting, especially that form in 
which the food simply regurgitates, and in exceptional cases it 
may succeed in checking diarrhoea when other drugs have failed. 

Remote effects. — Arsenic is of great value in chronic super- 
ficial skin diseases not owing their cause to an irritant. It is, 
therefore, largely used for psoriasis, pemphigus, and sometimes 
18 



202 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

for chronic eczema. It is of no use in the acute stages of these 
maladies, nor if cutaneous inflammation is deep-seated ; it is 
likely, even, to aggravate the condition. 

Cases of anaemia which cannot be cured by iron, and which 
fall under the heading of primary anaemia, may be occasionally 
much improved by arsenic. Such are pernicious anaemia, splenic 
leucocythaemia, and Hodgkin's disease ; but often no drug is of 
any avail. In other forms of anaemia, such as chlorosis, arsenic 
may be given, often with benefit, when iron compounds disagree. 
Arsenic is, next to quinine, the best antiperiodic we have ; but it 
is not nearly so efficacious. It may, however, in the absence of 
quinine, be used for ague, and is especially valuable for the 
anaemia which follows ague, and for neuralgia due to the same 
cause. It often does distinct good in rheumatoid arthritis if 
given for a long while. It is frequently prescribed for chorea, 
particularly in rapidly increasing doses ; but it is difficult to prove 
that the cases get well more quickly than they would without any 
drug. Arsenic has been strongly recommended in asthma and 
in hay fever. For asthma it may be given by the mouth, or 
smoked as cigarettes, made by saturating bibulous paper in a 
solution of fifteen grains of [potassium] arsenite to an ounce of 
water. It has been given in phthisis, but without benefit. 

Toxicology. 

Acute Poisoning. — [Arsenous Acid] is frequently used as a poison. 
Soon after taking it the sufferer experiences faintness, nausea, sickness, epigas- 
tric pain and tenderness. These symptoms quickly increase. The vomit is 
brown, and often streaked with blood ; the pain is very severe ; there is profuse 
diarrhoea> with much tenesmus; and there are cramps in the calves of the legs. 
The vomiting becomes violent and incessant ; there is a burning sensation in 
the throat, with intense thirst. Soon severe collapse sets in ; the skin is cold, 
the pulse small and feeble, and the patient dies [in collapse.] Post-mortem. — 
The stomach is intensely inflamed, even if the Arsenic has not been taken by the 
mouth, but has been applied in large quantities to cancerous growths. This 
shows that Arsenic is excreted from the blood into the stomach. The small 
intestines are also acutely inflamed. 

Treatment. — Wash out the stomach. Give emetics [see p. 79), choosing the 
least irritating and least depressing. The stomach must be completely emptied. 
Give unlimited quantities of freshly prepared humid [Ferric Hydrate] (see p. 172) 



ANTIMONY. 203 

or dialyzed iron. If neither of these is handy, give Magnesia in large amounts, 
or large doses of Castor Oil and water. Give Brandy or Ether subcutaneously ; 
apply hot blankets and bottles to the feet and the abdomen. 

Chronic Poisoning. — Often, when Arsenic is taken as a medicine, slight 
symptoms of poisoning are seen. They are loss of appetite, nausea, perhaps 
vomiting, slight abdominal pain, and mild diarrhoea. The eyelids become a 
little puffy, the conjunctivae injected, the eyes and nose water, and there is 
slight headache. These symptoms, of course, show that the dose given is too 
large, and that it must be decreased. 

Arsenic is so often used in the manufacture of all sorts of articles, espe- 
cially wall papers and fabrics, that chronic poisoning by it is frequently seen. 
It is also met with in workers of Arsenic, and in persons to whom it has been 
given with intent to murder. The symptoms produced are those already men- 
tioned as present when large doses of Arsenic are taken medicinally. 

Long- continued use of Arsenic may induce peripheral neuritis ; the chief 
symptoms of arsenical neuritis are herpes zoster, paralysis of the muscles of the 
limbs, especially the extensors of the hands and feet, ataxic gait, severe darting 
pains in the limbs, and rapid muscular atrophy. Several cases are recorded in 
which Arsenic has caused general brown pigmentation of the skin. It may 
also give rise to brown pigmentation of patches of psoriasis. After death from 
chronic poisoning, in addition to the gastro-intestinal and nervous lesions, there 
is wide-spread fatty degeneration of most of the organs of the body. It is well 
seen in the liver, kidneys, stomach and muscles, including the heart. 

Repeated doses given to animals abolish the glycogenic function of the 
liver, so that puncture of the floor of the fourth ventricle no longer causes gly- 
cosuria. In frogs poisoned with Arsenic the epidermis peels off very easily. 
This is due to degeneration of its lower cells, the degeneration proceeding from 
the lowest layer outwards. 

II. ANTIMONIUM. 
Sb.=iia.6. 
1. ANTIMONII SULPHIDUM.— [Antimony Sulphide Sb 2 S 3 = 
335.14. Synonym. — Antimony Trisulphide. 

Source. — Native Antimony Sulphide purified by fusion, as free from 
Arsenic as is possible. 

Characters. — Steel-gray masses of a metallic lustre and a striated crys- 
talline fracture, forming a black or grayish-black, lustreless powder without 
odor or taste. Solubility . — Insoluble in water or Alcohol. 

Preparations. 
1. Antimonii Sulphidum Purificatum. — Purified Antimony 
Sulphide. Sb.,S»— 335.14. Synonym. — Purified Black Antimony. 



204 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Source. — Antimony Sulphide, ioo; purified by Ammonia Water, 
50; decanted and dried. 

Characters. — A heavy grayish-black, lustreless powder, without 
odor or taste. 

Impurity. — Silica.] 

2. Antimonium Sulphuratum. — Sulphurated Antimony. Chiefly 
Antimony Sulphide (Sb 2 S 3 ) and with a small amount of Antimony 
Oxide (Sb 2 3 ). [Synonym. — Kermes mineral. 

Source. — Boil Purified Antimony Sulphide, 100; and Solution of 
Soda, 1200.] Sb 2 S5-f4NaOH=rNaSb0 2 +Na 3 SbS 3 . Precipitate with 
Sulphuric Acid, wash, and dry. NaSb0 2 +Na 3 SbS 3 +2H 2 S0 4 =Sb 2 S 3 
+2Na 2 S0 4 +2H 2 0. 

Characters. — [An amorphous reddish -white powder, becoming 
lighter in color on exposure to light. Solubility. — Insoluble in water 
or Alcohol.] 

Sulphurated Antimony is contained in Pilulae Antimonii Com- 
posite. See Mercury, p. 189. 

Dose, ^toi gr. 

2. ANTIMONII OXIDUM.— [Antimony Oxide. Sb 2 3 ^2-87.o7. 
Synonym. — Antimony Trioxide. ] 

Source. — Pour a solution of Antimony Chloride into water. The Anti- 
mony Oxychloride is precipitated. SbCI 3 -f H 2 0=SbOCl-f 2HCI. The 
precipitate is treated with Sodium Carbonate, and the precipitate washed and 
dried. 2SbOCl+Na 2 C0 3 =:Sb 2 3 +2NaCl-fC0 2 . 

Characters. — [A heavy grayish-white powder, without odor or taste.] 

Impurities. — Higher Oxides. 

Dose, 1 to 4 gr. 

Preparation. 

Pulvis Antimonialis. — [Antimonial Powder. Synonym. — James' 
Powder. Antimony Oxide, 33 ; Precipitated Calcium Phosphate, 67. 
Dose, 3 to 15 gr.] 

3. [ANTIMONII ET POTASSII TARTRAS.— Antimony and 

Potassium Tartrate. 2K(SbO)C 4 H 4 6 -f-H 2 0=662.42. Synonym.— Tartar 
Emetic, Tartrated Antimony.] 

Source. — Make a paste of Antimony Trioxide (Sb 2 3 ) with Acid Potas- 
sium Tartrate and water. Let it stand twenty-four hours, boil in water, and 
crystallize. 2 KHC 4 H 4 6 +Sb 2 3 =2K(SbO)C 4 H 4 6 +H 2 0. 

Characters. — Colorless transparent [crystals of the rhombic system, be- 
coming opaque and white on exposure to air; or a white granular powder, 
having a sweet, afterwards disagreeable metallic taste. Solubility. — In 17 
parts of water; insoluble in Alcohol.] 



ANTIMONY. 205 

Incompatibles. — Gallic and Tannic Acids, most astringent infusions, 
AlkaMes, Lead Salts. 

Impurities. — Acid Potassium Tartrate. 

Dose, to to ]/ 2 gr. (diaphoretic), ^ to 1 gr. (cardiac depressant), 1 to 2 
gr. (emetic). 

Preparations. 

1, Vinum Antimonii. — [Wine of Antimony. Antimony and 
Potassium Tartrate, 4; boiling distilled water, 65 ; Alcohol, 150; White 
Wine to 1 000. 

Dose, 5 to 60 m. 

2. Syrupus Scillae Compositus. — Compound Syrup of Squill. 
Synonym. — Hive Syrup. Fluid extract of Squill, 80; fluid extract of 
Senega, 80; Antimony and Potassium Tartrate, 2; Sugar, 750; Precipi- 
tated Calcium Phosphate, 10; water to 1000. 

Dose, 5 to 30 m.] 

Action of Antimonial Compounds. 

External. — Antimonial compounds are powerful external 
irritants. The Liquor Antimonii Chloridi [of the B. P., which 
is a solution of antimony chloride in hydrochloric acid,] is a severe 
caustic. Tartar emetic produces a pustular eruption at the 
point of application. 

Internal. — Alimentary canal. — All compounds of antimony 
are powerful irritants, internally as well as externally; the 
action of tartar emetic is best known. The first result of swal- 
lowing this is vomiting. The early acts of vomiting are due to 
the direct action of the drug on the wall of the stomach, but it is 
quickly absorbed, and by its action on the medulla it also pro- 
duces sickness ; thus the vomiting is continued for some time. 
It will produce vomiting when injected into the blood, chiefly 
by its action on the medulla — for it will act if the stomach is 
replaced by a bladder, — but also because some of it is excreted 
into the stomach. In large doses tartar emetic is irritant to the 
intestine. 

Heart. — Antimony acts upon man as upon the lower animals. 
It is a powerful cardiac depressant, diminishing both the fre- 
quency and the force of the beat of the heart. Experiments on 
animals have shown that the final stoppage takes place in diastole, 



206 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

and that the chief action of antimony is that of a direct depress- 
ant to the cardiac muscle itself. Of course, the cardiac de- 
pression causes the arterial pressure to fall ; but part of this effect 
is due to a coincident action upon some portion of the vaso-motor 
system ; the probability being that antimony, by paralyzing the 
muscular coat of the arteries, relaxes them. 

Respiration. — Respiration is depressed, the movements be- 
come weaker, and inspiration is shortened, but expiration is pro- 
longed. Finally, the pauses become very long and the move- 
ments very irregular. The cause of this is not known ; probably 
it is very complex. 

Nervous and muscular systems. — Here also antimony acts as a 
powerful depressant, especially to the spinal cord, and to a 
less extent to the brain ; hence moderate doses cause a feeling of 
languor, inaptitude for mental exertion, and sleepiness. Experi- 
ments on animals show that after the administration of large 
doses of antimony reflex movement is soon lost, and that this is 
due to a depressing effect on the sensory part of the spinal cord. 
This depressant influence is felt also in the muscles, and hence 
antimony will relieve spasm, but whether it does so by direct 
action on the muscles or by acting on the nervous system is 
doubtful. 

Temperature. — Moderate doses of antimony have little influ- 
ence on the temperature, but large doses cause a considerable 
fall, due, no doubt, in the main to the circulatory depression, 
but, also, it is said, to a direct action in decreasing the amount 
of heat produced. 

Excretion. — Antimony is excreted by many channels. We 
have seen that part of its emetic effect is due to its excretion into 
the stomach. It passes out by the bronchial mucous membrane, 
increasing the amount of secretion, and thus acting as an expec- 
torant. On the skin its action is that of a diaphoretic. This 
is chiefly a secondary result of the depression of the circulation, 
but is possibly in part a direct local effect. In frogs the action 
on the skin is very like that of arsenic, but antimony softens 
rather than detaches the epidermis, which thus becomes a jelly- 



ANTIMONY. 207 

like mass. It is excreted in the bile, and aids its flow ; therefore 
it is a cholagogue. 

In passing through the kidneys it may be slightly diuretic, but 
this depends upon the amount of perspiration produced by it. If 
its use is continued for some time it will cause, like arsenic, fatty 
degeneration, especially of the liver, and abolition of the hepatic 
glycogenic function. 

Therapeutics of Salts of Antimony. 

External. — A solution of antimony chloride, known as 
butter of antimony, has been used as a caustic, but its employ- 
ment has been abandoned, as the sore produced is difficult to 
heal. Many years ago an ointment of tartar emetic was com- 
monly applied as a counter-irritant, but it causes much pain, and 
is now seldom used. 

Internal. — Alimentary canal. — Tartar emetic is not to be 
recommended as an emetic, for the action is slow, and the general 
depression of emetic doses is great. For this reason it should 
never be given to produce purgation. The only cases in which 
it is permissible are those in which an emetic is required for laryn- 
gitis, bronchitis, or some other acute inflammatory condition of 
the respiratory tract, for then its depressant action on the circu- 
lation may perhaps be beneficial, but usually ipecacuanha is pre- 
ferable. 

Circulation. — Antimony was formerly largely employed, espe- 
cially in combination with aconite, to reduce the force and fre- 
quency of the pulse in all sorts of febrile conditions ; but this is 
now generally thought unnecessary. If it is to be used, it is 
especially indicated in respiratory affections; for then its expec- 
torant effect may be valuable. 

Respiration. — It has been very much given for the early stage 
of acute bronchitis; but certainly it should not be continued 
after a free secretion of bronchial mucus has been set up by it. 
After that it is, on account of its depressing influence, an unde- 
sirable expectorant. 

Nervous and muscular systems. — Its use as a sedative in delir- 



208 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

ium tremens is now abandoned, and the introduction of chloro- 
form has made it unnecessary to employ tartar emetic to relax 
muscular spasm in hernias, dislocations, etc. 

Remote effects. — Occasionally it is given in fevers for its dia 
phoretic influence and for its slight antipyretic action. Some- 
times it is ordered as a cholagogue ; but, because of its powerful 
depressant action, it is less used as a medicine than formerly. 

Toxicology. 

Acute Poisoning. — The symptoms are very like those of arsenical poi- 
soning {see p. 202). Post-mortem. — The gastro-intestinal irritation is very 
similar, but it is not nearly so marked. 

Treatment. — Unless the vomiting is very free, Apomorphine [Hydro- 
chlorate] subcutaneously, or Zinc Sulphate by the mouth or the stomach pump, 
may be used. Also frequent doses of half a drachm of Tannic or Gallic Acid 
dissolved in water, strong tea or coffee, mucilaginous drinks, and stimulants 
subcutaneously. Hot water bottles and warm blankets may be necessary. 

Chronic Poisoning is not sufficiently common to call for notice here. 

III. CHROMIUM. 

Cr. — - 52.0. 

Acidum Chromicum. — Chromic Acid. Cr0 3 [=99.88. Synonyms. — 
Chromic Anhydride; Chromic Trioxide.] 

Source. — Dissolve Potassium Dichromate in Sulphuric Acid and water, 
decant from the Acid Potassium Sulphate, heat with more Sulphuric Acid, cool 
and crystallize. K 2 Cr 2 7 -f- 2H. 2 S0 4 = 2Cr0 3 -f 2KHS0 4 + H 2 0. 

Characters. — [Small needle-shaped crystals, or rhombic prisms, of a dark 
purplish-red color and metallic lustre. Readily yields Oxygen, and will, there- 
fore, easily explode. It does so with either Glycerin, Ether, or Alcohol. 
Solubility, — Very soluble in water.] 

Action. 

External. — In consequence of its oxidizing power, chromic 
acid is a powerful deodorant and disinfectant. It coagulates 
albumin and oxidizes organic matter, and is therefore a powerful 
caustic. 

Internal. — None is known. 

Therapeutics. 
External. — As a lotion, 1 in 40, chromic acid has been used 
for its disinfectant properties to wash foul ulcers and sores, and 



PHOSPHORUS. 209 

also as a local application for ozgena, gonorrhoea, leucorrhoea, 
and bad ulcerations of the mouth. The Liquor [of the B. P., 
which is 1 part of chromic acid in 3 of water,] is occasionally used 
as a caustic to destroy condylomata, etc. Compounds of chro- 
mium are not given internally. 

The remaining groups of the inorganic drugs' are non- 
metallic. 



GROUP VIII. 

Containing Phosphorus only. 

PHOSPHORUS. 

p. = 30.96. 

Source. — Treat Bone Ash or Lime Phosphate with Sulphuric Acid and 
water, filter and evaporate. Ca 3 (POJ -f 2H 8 S0 4 = CaH 4 (P0 4 ) 2 -f 2CaS0 4 . 
Heat the Acid Calcium Phosphate thus formed, with Charcoal. The heat first 
forms Calcium Metaphosphate. CaH 4 (P0 4 ) 2 = Ca(P0 3 ) 2 -f- 2H 2 0. This is 
acted on by the Charcoal [and sand] thus: 2Ca(P0 3 ) 2 [-|- 2Si0 2 ] -f- ioC 2 = 
2CaSi0 3 + 10CO + P 4 . 

Characters. — [A translucent, nearly colorless solid, of a waxy lustre, 
having, at ordinary temperatures, about the consistence of Beeswax. By long 
keeping the surface becomes red, and occasionally black. It has a distinctive 
and disagreeable odor and taste (but should not be tasted, except in a state of 
great dilution) ; when exposed to the air it emits white fumes, which are lumi- 
nous in the dark, and have an odor somewhat resembling garlic. On longer 
exposure to air it takes fire spontaneously. Heated with Hydrogen it becomes 
red, amorphous, non-poisonous Phosphorus.] 

Dose, ts<j to 50 gr. Never given alone. 

Preparations. 

1. Oleum Phosphoratum. — Phosphorated Oil. [Phosphorus, 1 ; 
Expressed Oil of Almond, 90; which must be heated to 250 F., and 
filtered to remove water and organic matter, which would otherwise 
oxidize the Phosphorus, and Ether to 100. Strength. — 1 per cent.] 

Dose, 1 to 5 m. 

2. Pilulae Phosphori. — [Pills of Phosphorus. Dissolve Phos- 
phorus, .06; Chloroform, 5 ; add Althgea, 6; and Acacia, 6 gm. ; with 



2IO INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

water, and Glycerin; to make loo pills.] Strength. — Each pill con- 
tains Tfftr gr. of Phosphorus. 
Dose, i to 5 pills. 

[3. Spiritus Phosphori. — Spirit of Phosphorus. Synonym. — Tinc- 
ture of Phosphorus. Phosphorus, 1.2; absolute Alcohol to 1000. Dis- 
solve by heating upon a water-bath. 

Dose, 8 to 40 m. 

Spiritus Phosphori is used to prepare Elixir Phosphori. 

4. Elixir Phosphori. — Elixir of Phosphorus. Spirit of Phos- 
phorus, 210; Oil of Anise, 2; Glycerin, 550; Aromatic Elixir to 1000. 
Dose yi to 2^ fl. dr.] 

Action. 
The only known action of minute doses of phosphorus is that 
in animals the spongy tissue in the long and short bones is thick- 
ened, and the compact tissue is rendered more dense. Phos- 
phorus enters the blood as phosphorus, and probably acts as such, 
not as phosphoric acid. See Toxicology. 

Therapeutics. 
It has been used in osteomalacia, in rickets, and in cases of 
ununited fracture ; but for rickets at least it is a very inferior 
remedy. As its action is unknown, it has been given in num- 
bers of diseases whose pathology is unknown, but without 

benefit. 

Toxicology. 

Acute Poisoning. — Phosphorus is often taken, or administered crim- 
inally, either as match heads or vermin paste. For the first few hours there are 
no effects, then the following symptoms of gastro intestinal irritation set in : 
Nausea, abdominal pain, and vomiting; the vomited matters smell of phos- 
phorus and are luminous. There is some general depression. Diarrhoea is 
rare. The patient may die of collapse ; but far more frequently these symptoms 
all pass off, and he appears quite well. But after three or four days jaundice 
is noticed, and this soon becomes very [marked] ; there is now great prostration, 
the liver is enlarged, the abdomen distended, and he complains of intense 
thirst. Vomiting of altered blood and diarrhoea with bloody stools may be 
observed, but these two symptoms are not severe. The skin is cold, the pulse 
feeble and rapid. The urine is scanty, highly colored, albuminous, bile- 
stained, and perhaps bloody, and it may contain bile acids and crystals of leucin 



HYPOPHOSPHITES. 211 

and tyrosin. Muscular twitchings occur, the patient becomes comatose and 
dies. Post-mortem. — Two results are very striking, (i) Fatty degeneratk n 
(thus Phosphorus resembles Arsenic and Antimony), affecting principally the 
liver, in which it is very marked ; and if the patient lives long enough, there 
may be a diminution in the size of the organ. Fatty degeneration is also found in 
the muscles, kidneys, and gastro-intestinal tract. (2) Haemorrhages are seen 
in many places, and ecchymoses are sometimes very abundant. If they occur in 
the gastric and intestinal mucous membranes, they may give rise to the erroneous 
belief that evidences of acute gastro-intestinal irritation can be found at death. 
The symptoms of Phosphorus poisoning in many respects resemble those of 
acute yellow atrophy of the liver. 

Treatment. — Thoroughly empty the stomach by a stomach pump or by 
washing it out. Give Copper Sulphate as an emetic {see Copper, p 164), three 
grains every few minutes till vomiting is induced, then every 15 minutes; also 
half a drachm of Oil of Turpentine (q. v.) every half hour. A full dose of a 
saline purge may be administered. No oils or fats should on any account be 
given. [Percy (Trans. Am. Med. Ass'n, 1872) found that old Oil of Turpen- 
tine which contains oxygen, if administered soon after taking the poison and 
before it was absorbed, was an antidote (experiments upon dogs).] 

Chronic Poisoning. — This, which used to be seen in those who worked 
among phosphorus fumes, is now of great rarity. The chief symptoms are 
those of gastro-intestinal irritation and necrosis of the jaw. 

1. CALCII HYPOPHOSPHIS.— [Calcium Hypophosphite. [Ca'P 
H 2 2 ) 2 =i6 9 .6 7 .] 

Source. — Heat Phosphorus with Milk of Lime. Then pass Carbonic 
Acid Gas through the liquid to remove the excess of Lime. The Hypophos- 
phite crystallizes out of the solution. 3Ca(OH) 2 -f-4P 2 +6H 2 0=3Ca(PH 2 2 ) 2 . 

Characters. — [Colorless, transparent, monoclinic prisms or small lustrous 
scales, or a white, crystalline powder, having nauseous, bitter taste. Solubility. — 
In 6.8 parts of water; insoluble in Alcohol.] 

Dose, 2 to 5 gr. 

2. SODII HYPOPHOSPHIS.— [Sodium Hypophosphite. NaPH 2 0„ 
4-H 2 0=io5.8 4 .] 

Source. — Add Sodium Carbonate to a solution of Lime Hypophosphite 
and evaporate [the filtrate]. Ca(PH 2 2 ) 2 +Na 2 C0 3 =CaC0 3 4-2NaPH 2 2 . 

Characters. — [Small, colorless, transparent, rectangular plates of a pearly 
lustre, or a white granular salt with a bitterish sweet, saline taste. SoluHl- 
ity. — In I part of water; in 30 parts of Alcohol.] 

Dose, 5 to 20 gr. 

3. [POTASSII HYPOPHOSPHIS.— Potassium Hypophosphite. 
KPH 2 2 =to 3 .9I. 



212 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Source. — From double decomposition of Calcium Hypophosphite and 
Potassium Carbonate, the Potassium Hypophosphite remains in solution. 
Ca(PH 2 2 ) 2 +K 2 CO s — CaC0 3 +2KPH 2 2 . 

Characters. — White, opaque, hexagonal plates, or crystalline masses, 
or a granular powder, having a pungent, saline taste. Solubility. — In 0.6 part 
of water, and in 7.3 parts of Alcohol. 

Dose, 5 to 20 gr. 

Preparations, 

1. Syrupus Hypophosphitum. — Syrup of the Hypophosphites. 

Calcium Hypophosphite, 45 ; Sodium Hypophosphite, 15 ; Potas- 
sium Hypophosphite, 15; diluted Hypophosphorous Acid, 2; Spirit 
of Lemon, 5 ; sugar, 500 ; and sufficient water to make 1000. 

Dose, 1 to 2 fl. dr. 

2. Syrupus Hypophosphitum cum Ferro. — Syrup of the Hypo- 
phosphites with Iron. 

Ferrous Lactate, 10 ; Potassium Citrate, 10 ; Syrup of the Hypo- 
phosphites, to IOOO. 

Dose, 1 to 2 fl. dr. 

4. FERRI HYPOPHOSPHIS. — Ferric Hypophosphite. Fe 2 
(PH 2 2 ) 6 =5oi.o 4 . 

Source. — A solution of Sodium Hypophosphite is added to a solution of 
Ferric Chloride, the precipitate is washed and dried with moderate heat. 
6NaPH 2 2 +2FeCl 6 =Fe 2 (PH 2 2 ) fi -f6NaCl. 

Characters. — A white or grayish- white powder, nearly tasteless. Solu- 
bility. — Only slightly soluble in water. 

Dose, 2 to 10 gr. 

Impurities. — All of the Hypophosphites are liable to be contaminated 
with the Alkaline Carbonates or to contain free Alkali. 

5. ZINCI PHOSPHIDUM.— Zinc Phosphide. ZngP 2 =257.22. 
Source. — From vapor of Phosphorus in a curre nt of dry Hydrogen over 

heated Zinc, after all atmospheric air is expelled. 

Characters. — A gritty powder of a dark-gray color, or crystalline frag- 
ments of a dark metallic lustre, and having a faint odor and taste of phos- 
phorus. 

Dose, T V to \ gr. 

6. ACIDUM HYPOPHOSPHOROSUM DILUTUM.— Diluted 

Hypophosphorous Acid. A liquid composed of about 10 per cent., by weight, 
of absolute Hypophosphorous Acid (HPH 2 2 =65.88) and about 90 per cent, 
of water. 



HYPOPHOSPHITES. 21 3 

Source. — Decompose Potassium Hypophosphite by Sulphuric Acid, filter 
and evaporate to a syrupy consistence. 2KPH. 2 2 -f-H 2 S0 4 =K. 2 S0 4 -(- 2 HP 
H 2 2 

Characters. — A colorless liquid, without odor, and having an Acid 
taste. Sp. gr. : about 1.046. Solubility. — Miscible in all proportions, with 
water. 

Diluted Hypophosphorotts Acid is used in Syrupus Hypophosphitum.] 

The Therapeutics of Ferric, Calcium, Sodium, and 
Potassium Hypophosphites. 

These drugs have been recommended for phthisis. Although 
in many cases there is no satisfactory evidence of their value, yet 
they are extensively used and are the basis of a large number of 
proprietary preparations. 

[They are generally tonic and certainly constitute a safe form 
for the administration of phosphorus. Following Churchill they 
should be of chemical purity, neutral in reaction, the presence of 
free alkali or alkaline carbonates quickly giving rise to an atonic 
dyspepsia. The preparation, the syrup of the hypophosphites is 
faulty in that each salt has a peculiar property, yet the final result 
being due to the hypophosphite, and its beneficial effect upon 
nutrition. In the early stages of phthisis (infiltration) the sodium 
salt should be administered and the sodium salt alone, if excava- 
tion is present the calcium salt is indicated, and that alone, pro- 
vided that it does not too suddenly check expectoration, when 
the sodium salt should be resumed. 

The potassium salt is a valuable expectorant in chronic bron- 
chitis ; but it has a very limited usefulness in phthisis. The hypo- 
phosphites, when administered intelligently, will improve nutrition 
and relieve some of the symptoms of phthisis. If administered 
in too large doses, or simultaneously with other remedies as arsenic, 
stimulants, strychnine, cod liver oil, they are likely to produce 
headaches, dyspepsia, and fail to cause improvement. The ob- 
jection to the Syrup, U. S. P., namely, the use of the salts in 
combination, applies to nearly all of the proprietary preparations, 
most of which contain impure drugs and are not scientific com- 
binations. The syrup of the hypophosphites with iron is valuable 



214 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

as a reconstructive. Zinc phosphide is believed to have the same 
physiological and therapeutical effects as phosphorus.] 



GROUP IX. 

Chlorine, Iodine, Bromine. 

These elements, which are chemically so closely allied, are all of them 
powerful disinfectants and irritants. 

I. CHLORUM. 

Symbol CI. = 35.37. 
This gas is not official under its own name, but is officially obtained from 
two sources of it, viz., Hydrochloric Acid and Chlorinated Lime. 

1. AQUA CHLORI. — [Chlorine water. An aqueous solution of Chlo- 
rine (Cl=35.37) containing at least 0.4 per cent, of the gas.] 

Source. — Pass washed Chlorine gas into water. The gas is obtained by 
heating diluted Hydrochloric Acid, 35 ; and Manganese Dioxide, 10. 4HCI 
+Mn0 2 =Cl 2 +MnCl 2 -f2H 2 0. 

Characters. — [A clear greenish-yellow liquid, having the suffocating odor 
and disagreeable taste of Chlorine.] 

Incompatibles. — Lead and Silver Salts. 

Dose, 1 to 4 fl. dr., diluted with water. Rarely given internally. 

\_Free Chlorine is contained in Acidum Nitrohydrochloricum Dilutum.] 

2. CALX CHLORATA. — Chlorinated Lime. [A compound resulting 
from the action of Chlorine upon Calcium Hydrate, and containing not less than 
35 per cent, of available Chlorine.] Synonyni. — Bleaching powder. It may 
be regarded either as a compound of Calcium Hypochorite and Chloride, or as 
one of Lime and Chlorine. 

Source. — Pass Chlorine gas over slaked Lime. 2Ca(OH) 2 -(-2Cl 2 =CaCl 2 
2 CaCl 2 -f2H 2 0. 

Characters. — A white or grayish-white granular powder, [exhaling the 
odor of Hypochlorous Acid, having a repulsive, saline taste, and becoming 
moist and gradually decomposing in exposure to air.] 

3. LIQUOR SODiE CHLORATE.— [Solution of Chlorinated Soda. 
NaCl,NaC10. Synonym. — Labarraque's solution. An aqueous solution of 
several Chlorine compounds of Sodium, containing at least 2.6 per cent., by 
weight, of available chlorine.] 

Source. — [A solution of Sodium Carbonate, 150; Chlorinated Lime, 75; 
in water to 1 000. 



IODINE. 215 

Characters. — A clear, pale-greenish liquid, having a faint odor of 
Chlorine. Sp. gr. about 1.052.] 
Dose, ^ to 1 fl. dr. 

Action of Chlorine. 

External. — Chlorine is one of the most powerful disinfec- 
tants and deodorizers. It has a very great affinity for hydro- 
gen, and hence decomposes compounds which contain hydrogen, 
oxygen generally being set free. Chlorine is a very active and 
destructive irritant to the skin and mucous membranes. 

Internal. — It is hardly ever given internally. If it were, it 
would become converted into chlorides. 

Therapeutics of Chlorine. 

External. - Chlorine is largely used in the form of chlori- 
nated lime to disinfect privies, drains, urinals, &c. It may be 
employed also to disinfect rooms after infectious diseases. All 
metals or articles such as fabrics, likely to be bleached, should be 
covered up or removed : the windows and chimneys should be 
pasted up. The gas can be evolved from common salt, manga- 
nese dioxide, and sulphuric acid. The door is then shut, and 
the cracks around it are pasted over with paper. Chlorine water 
is sometimes employed as a wash for foul ulcers and discharges. 

Internal. — Chlorine is used internally in the form of a wash 
for the mouth. The vapor gives rise to great irritation of the 
respiratory tract, and should never be inhaled. [Aqua Chlori 
has been used, well diluted, in the diarrhoea of typhoid fever.] 

II. IODUM.. 

I ODUM— Iodine. I = 126.53. 

Source. — Obtained from the ashes of sea-weed [and from the mother- 
liquor of Chilian Sodium Nitrate. 

Characters. — Heavy bluish-black, dry and friable rhombic plates, having 
a metallic lustre, a distinctive odor, and a sharp and acrid taste. Solubility. — 
In 5000 parts of water; in 10 parts of Alcohol, freely in Ether, slightly in 
Glycerin, freely in a solution of Potassium Iodide or Sodium Chloride.] 

Incompatibles. — Ammonia, Metallic Salts, Mineral Acids, Alkaloids. 

Impurities. — Iodine Cyanide, Iron, water. 



2l6 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Preparations. 

[i. Liquor Iodi Compositus. — Compound Solution of Iodine. 
Synonym. — Lugol's Solution. Iodine, 55 Potassium Iodide, 10; 
water to ioo. Strength. — 5 per cent.] 

Dose, 1 to 10 m. 

2. Tinctura Iodi. — [Tincture of Iodine, Iodine, 70; Alcohol to 
1000. Strength. — 7 per cent. 

Dose, 1 to 5 m.] 

3. Unguentum Iodi. — [Iodine Ointment. Iodine, 4; Potassium 
Iodide, 1 ; water, 2; Benzoinated Lard, 93. Strength. — 4 per cent.] 

Action. 

External. — The actions of iodine applied externally are the 
same as those of chlorine, that it is to say, it is powerfully disin- 
fectant and irritant. The latter action is the most important. 
Iodine applied to the skin produces a yellow stain, which can be 
removed by an alkali or sodium hyposulphite. At the same time 
it causes a sensation of heat and burning, dilatation of the vessels 
(rubefaction), and some cedematous swelling. Preparations of 
iodine are rarely used strong enough to produce more powerful 
irritation than this. The external application of them probably 
reflexly dilates the vessels of the subjacent organs, and this may 
explain their use as counter-irritants. If they are too strong, 
the irritation set up by them will proceed to the formation of 
vesicles, and even pustules, and deep inflammation with scarring. 
They usually destroy the superficial cuticle, so that after the use 
of them the skin peels. They are parasiticides to the various 
vegetable and animal parasites which infest the skin. 

Internal. — Iodine, when taken internally, is converted into 
an iodide. Minute doses of the tincture occasionally stop vomit- 
ing. The vapor is very irritating to the respiratory passages. 

Therapeutics. 

External. — Iodine is rarely employed for its antiseptic pro- 
perties, as chlorine is cheaper. The preparations of iodine are 
in constant use as irritants and counter-irritants. Usually one or 
two coats of the liniment [B. P., which contains iodine, 5 ; 



IODIDES. 217 

potassium iodide, 2 ; glycerin, 1 ; alcohol, 40], lightly painted on 
the skin, suffice ; if more is used, the inflammation is too severe. 
If it causes pain, it may be washed off with a solution of potas- 
sium iodide. The ointment, tincture and compound liquor are 
much milder than the liniment. Preparations of iodine are fre- 
quently used as counter-irritants for chronic inflammation of 
joints, for pleurisy, chilblains, periostitis, and many other pur- 
poses. The mild pieparations of iodine are applied over chroni- 
cally inflamed lymphatic glands when the cause of the swelling 
cannot be removed A decolorized tincture of iodine is pre- 
pared, consisting of iodine dissolved in alcohol, and decolorized 
by a strong solution of ammonia. Its strength is 1 in 40, nearly, 
and has the advantage of not staining the skin ; but it contains no 
iodine, for ammonium iodide and iodate are formed. There- 
fore it is a much milder irritant than other iodine preparations 
Any effect it may have is due to excess of ammonia. For its 
irritant effect the official tincture may be injected into a hydro- 
cele or a cyst to cause adhesive inflammation, and it has been 
injected into joints, abscesses, and the pleural cavity after empy- 
ema; but in such cases great care must be taken that the inflam- 
mation induced is not too severe, and this treatment is now very 
rarely used, for the cavities, being kept antiseptic, heal up with- 
out it. The tincture, or, if it can be borne, the liquor, is often 
used as an antiparasitic for ringworm. Coster's paste, which is 
sometimes employed for this disease, consists of 2 dr. of iodine 
dissolved in 1 fl. oz. of light oil of wood tar. Morton's fluid, 
which is used as an injection for spina bifida, consists of iodine 
10 grains, potassium iodide 30 grains, glycerin 1 fl. oz. 

Internal. — The vapor of iodine is occasionally inhaled for 
diseases of the lungs ; but it probably does more harm than good. 
One or two nrnims of the tincture in half an ounce of water are 
often given, quite empirically, every half hour in cases of vomit- 
ing, and sometimes with distinct benefit. 

1. POTASSII IODIDUM.— [Potassium Iodide. 0=165.56.] 
Source. — Dissolve iodine in a hot solution of Potassa in distilled water. 
3l 2 -f 6KHO=5KI-f KI0 3 -}-3H 2 0. Evaporate and heat the residue with 
19 



2l8 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Charcoal; the Oxygen of the Iodate is carried oft as Carbon Dioxide. KI0 3 
4-C 3 — KI4-3CO. Dissolve in boiling water, filter, wash and crystallize. 

Characters. — [Colorless, transparent or translucent, cubical crystals, or 
a white, granular powder, having a peculiar, faint, iodine-like odor, and a 
pungent, saline, afterwards bitter taste. Solubility. — In 0.75 part of water; 
in 18 of Alcohol; in 2.5 of Glycerin.] 

Incompatibles. — Bismuth Subnitrate, Sweet Spirits of Nitre, Liquorice, 
preparations containing Starch. 

Impurities. — Iodates, free Alkalies. 
Dose, 5 to 60 gr., or more. 

Preparations. 
[1. Syrupus Acidi Hydriodici. — Syrup of Hydriodic Acid. A 
syrupy liquid containing about I per cent., by weight, of absolute 
Hydriodic Acid (111=127.53). 

Source. — Dissolve Potassium Iodide, 13; and Potassium Hypo- 
phosphite, 1; in water. Dissolve Tartaric Acid, 12; in diluted Alcohol, 
25 ; mix the two solutions, cool, filter, reduce the filtrate by evaporation 
to 50 parts, and mix when cold, with Syrup to 1 000. 

Characters. — A transparent, colorless or not more than a pale 
straw-colored liquid, having a sweet and acidulous taste and an acid 
reaction. Sp. gr., about 1. 313. 
Dose, % to 1 fl. dr.] 

2. Unguentum Potassii Iodidi. — [Ointment of Potassium 
Iodide. Potassium Iodide, 12; Sodium Hyposulphite, I; hot water, 
10; benzoinated Lard, 77.] 

2. SODII IODIDUM.— Sodium Iodide. Nal[=i4 9 .53]. 

Source. — Made from a solution of Soda, as Potassium Iodide is made 
from a solution of potash. 3l 2 +6NaHO=5NaI+NaI0 3 -|-3H 2 0. 

Characters. — [Colorless, cubical crystals or a white crystalline powder, 
having a saline and slightly bitter taste. Solubility. — In 0.6 part of water ; 
in about 3 parts of Alcohol.] 

Dose, 5 to 30 gr., or more. 

[3. AMMONII IODIDUM.— Ammonium Iodide. 1^1=144.54. 

Source. — Dissolve Potassium Iodide and Ammonium Sulphate in boiling 
water, add Alcohol, filter, wash, and evaporate the filtrate to dryness. 2KI-)- 
(NHJ 2 S0 4 =2NH 4 I+K 2 S0 4 . 

Characters. — Minute, colorless, cubical crystals, or a white granular 
powder, very deliquescent, having a sharp, saline tatse. Solubility. — In I 
part of water, and in 9 parts of Alcohol. 

Impurities. — Iodates, Potassium Sulphate. 

Dose, 2 to 10 gr., or more. 



IODIDES. 219 

4. STRONTII I OD I DUM.— Strontium Iodide. SrI 2 + 6H 2 = 
448.12. 

Source. — By neutralization of freshly prepared solution of Hydriodic 
Acid with Strontium Carbonate; the filtrate is concentrated and the salt ob- 
tained by crystallization. 2HI+SrC0 3 =SrI 2 +C0 2 +H 2 0. 

Characters. — Colorless, transparent, hexagonal plates, odorless, and 
having a bitterish, saline taste. Deliquescent, and colored yellow by exposure 
to air and light. Solubility. — In 0.6 part of water; soluble in Alcohol, and 
slightly in Ether. 

Impurities. — Barium Salts. 

Dose, 5 to 30 gr. 

5. ZINCI IODIDUM.— Zinc Iodide. Znl 2 =3i8.i6. 

Source. — By digesting an excess of Zinc, with Iodine diffused in water. 
Zn+I 2 +H 2 0=ZnI 2 +H 2 0. 

Characters. — A white, granular powder, odorless, and having a sharp, 
saline and metallic taste. Very deliquescent, and liable to absorb oxygen from 
the air, and to become brown from liberated Iodine. Solubility. — Readily 
in water, Alcohol, or Ether. 

Dose, 1 to 3 gr.] 

Action of Potassium, Sodium, [Ammonium, Strontium and 
Zinc Iodides]. 

External. — They have none. They do not irritate, nor are 
they absorbed by the unbroken skin. 

Internal. — It is often taught that iodine (which is supposed 
to be converted into sodium iodide in the alimentary canal) and 
potassium iodide (which also becomes sodium iodide), both have 
the same internal action ; but free iodine is much more irritant 
to the gastro-intestinal tract than either the potassium or the 
sodium salt, and it is said to produce sexual excitement ; but 
iodides have not this action. Therapeutically considered, the 
sodium, [ammonium, potassium and strontium iodides], also pro- 
duce entirely different results from iodine. It is not known how 
they act, nor even in what form they are absorbed. They have 
in certain diseases a profound effect on nutrition, and it is said 
that they cause an increased elimination of uric acid. Occasion- 
ally considerable general depression is produced by large doses of 
potassium iodide \ but this is probably due to the potassium, and 



220 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

not to the iodine, [and in this case the syrup of hydriodic acid 
can be substituted]. The form in which iodides are eliminated is 
not known ; but when they are taken in excess, a series of symp- 
toms, due no doubt to their elimination by the skin and mucous 
membranes, takes place. They are frequently seen in patients 
taking iodides, and they are known as Iodism. 

Iodism. — The patient complains of heavy pain over the 
1 frontal sinus, running at the nose, sore throat, increased secre- 
tion of saliva, and an eruption on the skin, consisting of patches 
of erythema. The inflammation about the fauces may spread to 
the gums or down the trachea, setting up laryngitis, tracheitis, 
and bronchitis. The susceptibility of people to poisoning by 
iodides varies very much. 

Therapeutics of Potassium Sodium, [Ammonium, Strontium 
and Zinc] Iodides. 

The most important use of iodides is for syphilis ; their value 
for the primary and secondary stages is comparatively slight, but 
they are invaluable for the tertiary stages, as they often cause the 
rapid absorption of nodes, gummata and other syphilitic deposits. 
The pharmacopceial dose may often be exceeded : patients some- 
times take two, three, or even four drachms a day. Large doses 
are especially used in syphilis of the nervous system. 

Chronic rheumatoid arthritis is often treated, and sometimes 
with benefit, by small doses of potassium iodide continued for a 
long while, but probably ferrous iodide is more useful. Gonor- 
rhceal rheumatism is often treated with potassium iodide. It fre- 
quently aids the absorption of chronic inflammatory products, 
even when they are not syphilitic. Therefore certain forms of 
joint disease, of pleurisy and of pulmonary consolidation some- 
times yield to treatment by this drug. The attempt has been 
made to cure aneurisms which are inaccessible to surgery by giv- 
ing potassium iodide for long periods, for it is thought that it aids 
the coagulation of blood in them ; but as at the same time the 
patient is always kept in bed, it is difficult to say how much of 
any improvement that may happen to take place is due to the 



BROMINE. 221 

iodide. It is a valuable expectorant, particularly the ammonium 
salt, and sometimes cures cases of bronchitis when other remedies 
have failed. Lately, chronic Bright' s disease has been largely 
treated with this drug. Lardaceous disease of the kidneys and 
other organs is benefited by it. The potassium salt is recom- 
mended for asthma, and in some cases does much good. It is 
occasionally given to decrease the secretion of milk. 

Potassium iodide causes an increased excretion of both lead 
and mercury if they exist in the body, and it is therefore of great 
value in cases of chronic poisoning by these metals. Sodium 
iodide is not so much used, but it probably produces the same 
effects as the potassium salts, but does not cause so much depression. 

[Strontium iodide has been recently introduced, and is used 
for the same purposes as the other iodides. It is believed that it 
is less likely to disturb the stomach, cause acne, and depress the 
heart than the remaining iodides. In many instances the syrup 
of hydriodic acid can be substituted with advantage for the 
iodides. It is not so likely to produce iodism, nor does it so 
readily give rise to the " iodide punishment." Its pleasant taste 
is grateful to most patients ; it should, however, be administered 
well diluted one half hour before meals, or at least upon an empty 
stomach. Some of the commercial preparations are likely to 
readily decompose, especially when made from tartaric acid and 
potassium iodide, and are objectionaole from the amount of syrup 
which is administered when large doses are employed.] 

III. BROMUM. 

BRO MUM.— Bromine. Br. = [79.76.] 

Source. — [A liquid] obtained from sea water and saline springs. 

Characters. — [A heavy, dark, brownish-red, mobile liquid, evolving, even 
at ordinary temperatures, a yellowish red vapor, highly irritating to the eyes and 
lungs, and having a peculiar suffocating odor, resembling that of Chlorine. 
Sp. gr., 2.990.] Solubility. — In 30 parts of water ; readily in Alcohol and Ether. 

Impurity. — Iodine. 

Action. 

Its action is like that of chloiine and iodine. It is rarely 
used in medicine. 



222 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

i. POTASSII BROMIDUM.— Potassium Bromide. KBr[=u8.7 9 ]. 

Source. — [By adding Bromine to a solution of Potassa, a solution of the 
Bromide and Bromate is made. 3Br 2 -f 6KOH = 5KBr -f KBr0 3 -f 3H 2 0. 
On evaporation to dryness, mixing the salts with Charcoal and heating to red- 
ness, the Bromate is reduced to a Bromide, while the Oxygen unites with the 
Carbon, forming Carbon Dioxide, which escapes. KBr0 3 -j- C 3 = KBr -j- 
3CO. Dissolving in water, the solution yields the Bromide in crystals. 

Characters. —Colorless or white cubic crystals, or granules, having a 
pungent saline taste. Solubility. — In about 1.6 parts of water; in 200 parts 
of Alcohol. 

Impurities. — Potassium Bromide, free Alkali.] 

Incompatibles. — Acids, Acid, and Metallic Salts. 

Dose, 5 to 60 gr. 

2. SODII BROMIDUM.— Sodium Bromide. NaBr [= 102.76]. 
Source. — Made from a solution of Soda, as Potassium Bromide is made 

from a solution of Potassa. 

Characters. — [Colorless or white cubical crystals, or a white granular 
powder, having a saline, slightly bitter taste. Solubility. — In about 1.2 parts 
of water; in 13 parts of Alcohol.] 

Incompatibles. — Those of Potassium Bromide. 

Dose, 15 to 60 gr. 

3. AMMONII BROMIDUM.— Ammonium Bromide. NH 4 Br [= 

97.77]- 

Source. — Made by neutralizing Hydrobromic Acid with Ammonia or 
Ammonium Carbonate, evaporating and crystallizing. [HBr -f- NH 4 OH = 
NH 4 Br-f- H 2 0.] 

Characters. — Colorless, [transparent, prismatic crystals, or a white crys- 
talline product, having a pungent saline taste. Solubility. — In 1.5 parts of 
water ; in 30 parts of Alcohol.] 

Incompatibles. — Acids, Acid Salts, and Spirit of Nitrous Ether. 

Impurities. — Iodides; free Bromine. 

Dose, 5 to 30 gr. 

[4. LITHII BROMIDUM.— Lithium Bromide. LiBr = 86.77. 

Source. — From a solution of Ferrous Bromide heated with Lithium Car- 
bonate ; when cool the solution is evaporated, and the salt obtained by crystal- 
lization. FeBr, -f- Li 2 C0 3 = 2LiBr -f FeC0 3 . 

Characters. — A white granular salt, odorless, having a sharp and 
slightly bitter taste, very deliquescent. Solubility. — In 0.6 part of water ; very 
soluble in Alcohol. 

Dose, 5 to 20 gr. 



BROMIDES. 223 

5. CALCII BROM ID UM.— Calcium Bromide. CaBr 2 =s 199.43- 
Source. — From pure Calcium Carbonate by solution in Hydrobromic 

Acid and evaporation. CaC0 3 + 2HBr = CaBr 2 + C0 2 + H 2 0. 

Characters. — A white granular salt, having a sharp, saline taste, very 
deliquescent. Solubility. — In 0.7 part of water, and in 1 part of Alcohol. 

Dose, 15 to 30 gr. 

6. ZINCI BROMIDUM.-Zinc Bromide. ZnBr 2 = 224.62. 

Source. — From granulated Zinc digested in Hydrobromic Acid; the solu- 
tion is concentrated, acidulated with Hydrobromic Acid, and dried upon a 
water-bath. Zn -{- 2HBr = ZnBr 2 -f H 2 . 

Characters. — A white granular powder, having a sharp, saline and me- 
tallic taste, very deliquescent, and a neutral reaction. Solubility. — Readily in 
water and Alcohol. 

Dose, 1 to 5 gr. 

7. STRONTII BROMIDUM.— Strontium Bromide. SrBr. 2 -f 6H 2 

= 354.58. 

Source. — By neutralizing diluted Hydrobromic Acid with Strontium Car- 
bonate, filtration and evaporation. SrCO s -|- 2HBr = SrBr 2 -J- C0 2 -f- H 2 0. 

Characters. — Colorless, transparent, hexagonal crystals, odorless, and 
having a bitter, saline taste. Very deliquescent. Solubility. — In 1. 05 parts of 
water. Readily soluble in Alcohol. 

Impurities. — Barium and Calcium Salts. 

Dose, 5 to 30 gr.] 

Action of the Bromides. 

External. — They have none. 

Internal. — Alimentary canal. — Solutions of any of the first 
three bromides, frequently painted on the throat, diminish its 
sensibility. Medicinal doses have no other effect on the alimen- 
tary canal. All bromides are quickly converted into sodium 
bromide in the stomach and intestines, and they are readily 
absorbed 

Nervous system. — Bromides are powerful depressants to 
the nervous system, this action of the potas[sium] salt being 
most marked. Thus, if an animal be given large doses of any of 
them, irritation of the cortical motor areas, which before easily 
excited movements, fails to do so. Experiments also show that 
the reflex excitability of the cord is considerably diminished, and 
that the activity of the sensory mechanism is also impaired, for 



224 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

large doses of bromides given to frogs cause cutaneous anaesthesia. 
In man at least, not only the cortical motor area, but the brain as 
a whole is depressed, therefore these drugs are powerful hyp- 
notics. It is probable that in addition to the brain and spinal 
cord the peripheral nerves are depressed, so that bromides are 
well worthy to be called powerful nervous depressants. The activ- 
ity of the muscles is also diminished, not only by the action of 
the drugs on the nervous system, but by their direct action on 
them. 

Circulation. — Here also bromides are depressant; large doses 
exert a direct paralyzing influence on the heart, lessening the 
force and the frequency of the beat and producing stop- 
page in diastole ; [the potassium having the greatest effect, the 
sodium salt has less influence ; the ammonium salt stimulating the 
heart slightly]. They are said to cause vaso-motor spasm; but 
the evidence of this is very unsatisfactory. Toxic doses produce 
a fall of temperature; this is probably in some way secondary to 
the depression of the circulation. 

Respiration is slightly depressed by bromides. 

Metabolism. — The amount of carbon [dioxide] exhaled is 
greatly decreased by taking large doses of bromides. The amount 
of urine is increased ; [particularly after the use of the lithium 
salt], the coloring matters, the sulphur, and the nitrogen in it are 
increased; but the phosphorus is decreased. 

Sexual organs. — If bromides are taken for a long time a failure 
of sexual vigor is produced, and ultimately there is a great lessen- 
ing of the sexual appetite. Bromides are therefore anaphrodisiacs. 

Elimination. — Bromides are rapidly eliminated by the kid- 
neys, skin, saliva, intestinal mucous membrane, bronchial mucous 
membrane, and in milk. 

Bromism. — If bromides are taken for too long a period, a 
series of symptoms of poisoning, to which the above name has 
been given, may appear. [The hydrobromic acid, although con- 
taining a larger proportion of bromine, rarely gives rise to bro- 
mism.] The earliest of them is a rash, consisting of red papules, 
chiefly on the face and back, exactly resembling some forms of 



BROMIDES. 225 

acne. This is probably the result of the excretion of bromide by 
the skin. The next symptoms are a general lowering of the 
cutaneous sensibility and also of that of the pharynx, then there 
is diminution of sexual power, the patient becomes low-spirited, 
easily fatigued, unfit for work, and his intellect is dulled. There 
may be a little conjunctivitis, and some increased secretion from , 
the bronchi. 

Potassium bromide owes its action largely to the bromine in 
it, but probably also, to a less extent, to the potassium. In man, 
at least, the higher functions of the brain are depressed before the 
lower, and these again before the spinal. Thus the depression, 
takes place in regular order from above downwards, in the reverse 
order of the physiological development of the functions, and this 
is commonly the case with many drugs (see Law of Dissolution, 
p. 96.). 

Those who take bromides habitually find themselves unable to 
sleep without them, and their intellect becomes obscured. These 
bad effects are intensified by the fact that gradually larger doses 
are required to produce sleep, and thus the unfortunate sufferer 
becomes more and more a slave to the drug. 

Therapeutics of the Bromides. 

External. — None. 

Internal. — Alimentary canal. — Formerly the back of the 
throat was painted with a solution of a bromide before a laryn- 
geal examination, but now cocaine is employed for this purpose. 

Nervous system. — Because of their depressing effect bromides 
are largely used for many nervous diseases. They are the most 
valuable drugs we have for the treatment of epilepsy, acting no 
doubt by diminishing the excitability of the cerebral cortex. 
They rarely cure, but often greatly diminish the number of fits. 
It is impossible to say in any given case whether bromides will 
do good, therefore they must be tried in all ; petit mal is more 
difficult to influence than grand mal. The next most common 
use of bromides is as hypnotics. They are most useful when there 
is no organic cause to explain the insomnia, and therefore they 
20 



226 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

are not employed when pain keeps the patient awake, but are 
given with great benefit in the insomnia of overwork, worry, or 
that connected with the climacteric period. The sleep induced is 
quiet and refreshing, without dreams, and therefore these drugs 
are of great value in nightmare, and in the night-screaming of 
children, which may be regarded as allied to nightmare. Also 
because of their depressant effect on the nervous system they are 
given in migraine, and often they are the only drugs which do 
any good for the intense headache of this disease. Large doses, 
often a drachm at a time, are given in delirium tremens, espe- 
cially in combination with chloral, and sometimes the patient 
seems quieter for this treatment. Not only the insomnia, but 
the other nervous symptoms that are common at the climacteric 
period may be relieved by bromides. For their depressing power 
on centres below the cortex they are used, and with good results, 
in laryngismus stridulus, and have been given in whooping-cough; 
but the benefit is not marked. Some cases of tetanus have re- 
covered after enormous doses of bromides. Here their value is, 
no doubt, due to their power of diminishing the reflex function 
of the spinal cord. Bromides have been given as antidotes for 
strychnine poisoning. Sometimes they succeed in cases of hys- 
teria and neuralgia. 

Sexual functions. — Because of its depressant effect potassium 
bromide is given for spermatorrhoea and nymphomania. 

8. ACIDUM HYDROBROMICUM D I LUTUM.— Diluted Hydro- 
bromic Acid. [A liquid compound of 10 per cent, by weight, of absolute 
Hydrobromic Acid (HBr=8o.76) in water. 

Source. — Potassium Bromide in solution is mixed with Sulphuric Acid, 
and the Potassium Sulphate allowed to crystallize, the precipitate is washed 
upon the filter and the filtrate is distilled nearly to dryness and then diluted 
to the proper strength. 2HBr-)-H 2 S0 4 =2HBr] + K 2 S0 4 . 

Characters. — A clear, colorless liquid, having a strongly acid taste. 
Sp. gr., about 1.077. 

Dose, y 2 to 1 fl. dr. 

Action and Therapeutics. 
The action of this acid appears to be the same as that of the 
bromides of the alkaline metals, but it is very rarely used for the 



SULPHUR. 227 

same purposes. It has been employed with occasional success to 
relieve noises in the ears, and it is said to prevent the symptoms 
of poisoning by quinine: [of this drug it is an excellent solvent]. 



GROUP X. 

Containing Sulphur only. 

SULPHUR. 

S= 31.98. 

Sulphur is official in three forms. 

I. SULPHUR SUBLIMATUM.— Sublimed Sulphur. Synonym.— 
Flowers of Sulphur. 

SOURCE. — From Crude Sulphur by sublimation. 

Characters. — [A fine, yellow powder, having a slight, characteristic 
odor and a faintly acid taste.] 

Impurities. — Sulphurous and Sulphuric Acids, Arsenic Sulphide, earthy 
matters. 

Dose, 15 to 60 gr. 

Preparations . 

1. Sulphur Praecipitatum. — Precipitated Sulphur. Synonyms. — 
Milk of Sulphur, Lac Sulphur. 

Source. — Boil Sublimed Sulphur, 100; with Slaked Lime, 50; 
in water. 6S 2 +3Ca(OH) 2 =2CaS 5 +CaS 2 3 -f-3H 2 0. This gives a 
solution containing Calcium Sulphide and Calcium Hyposulphite. To 
it Hydrochloric Acid is added, and Sulphur is thrown down as a 
very fine precipitate. 2CaS 5 -f-4HCl=2CaCl 2 -|-4S 2 -|-2H 2 S. Wash and 
dry the precipitate. 

Characters. — [A fine, amorphous powder of a pale yellow color, 
without odor or taste.] 

Impurity. — Lime Sulphate, which makes it gritty. 

Dose, 15 to 60 gr. 

[2. Sulphur Lotum. — Washed Sulphur. 

Source. — Sublimed Sulphur, 100; with water, 100; and Ammonia 
Water, 10; is digested, filtered, drained and dried. 

Characters. — A fine, yellow powder, without odor or taste. 
. Solubility .- Insoluble in water. 

Impurities. — Acids, Arsenous Acid, and Arsenous Sulphide. 

Dose, 15 to 60 gr. 

Sulphur Lotum is contained in Pulvis Glycyrrhizae Compositus. 



228 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

3. Unguentum Sulphuris. — Sulphur Ointment. Washed Sul- 
phur, 300; Benzoinated Lard, 700.] 

Action of Sulphur. 

External. — Sulphur itself has no action on the skin, but 
some of it is converted into hydrogen [sulphide], and that is a 
mild vascular stimulant causing slight dilatation of the vessels and 
in some persons eczema It kills the Sarcoptes \scabiei\ and is 
therefore a parasiticide. 

Internal. — Alimentary canal. — It has no effect on the stom- 
ach, and most that is taken is passed out in the faeces unaltered. 
A certain amount is, in the intestine, converted into hydrogen 
[sulphide] and other sulphides. These cause a mild laxative 
effect, increasing the secretion of intestinal juice, and slightly 
stimulating the muscular coat, producing soft semi-liquid stools, 
sometimes accompanied by flatus of hydrogen [sulphide], which, 
if in sufficient quantity, makes sulphur an undesirable laxative. 

Remote effects. — Sulphur is absorbed as sulphides and hydrogen 
[sulphide], which is a powerful poison, decomposing the blood, 
and thus producing symptoms of asphyxia. It also paralyzes the 
whole nervous and muscular systems, but sulphur is never given 
to man in sufficient doses to produce any remote effects. Patients 
taking sulphur get rid of some minute portion of it as hydrogen 
[sulphide] through the kidneys, the milk, the lungs, and skin. 
The breath occasionally smells of it, and silver ornaments next 
to the skin may be discolored. 

Therapeutics of Sulphur. 

External. — Sulphur is commonly used to kill the Sarcoptes 
\_scabiei~], and thus to cure scabies. The skin should be well 
scrubbed with soft soap and hot water to lay open the burrows. 
Then it is thoroughly rubbed with the ointment. The patient 
should do this before bedtime, sleep in flannel, and wash the 
ointment off the next morning. This proceeding repeated three 
or four times will generally cure the disease. Sulphur ointment 
was formerly applied as a stimulant to ulcers, and was rubbed in 



SULPHUR. 229 

for chronic rheumatism ; but these modes of treatment are now 
rarely used, and their value is doubtful. [Mineral waters contain- 
ing sulphur are useful for chronic rheumatism as, for example, those 
of Richfield Springs.] Mild sulphur preparations are applied for 
acne. 

Internal. — Alimentary canal. — Sulphur is a very good laxa- 
tive, especially for children ; as it produces a soft motion, but no 
pain, it is useful for cases of piles or fissure of the anus. Washed 
sulphur is contained in compound liquorice powder, which is an 
excellent and popular laxative. One or two sulphur lozenges [of 
the B. P., each containing five grains of precipitated sulphur and 
one grain of acid potassium tartrate], taken at bedtime often 
secure an easy evacuation of the bowels the next morning, in per- 
sons liable to slight constipation. These lozenges have been 
recommended for constipation associated with hepatic disease. 

Remote effects. — Sulphur has been administered internally for 
all sorts of skin diseases, generally without any good result, but 
occasionally chronic eczema associated with much itching appears 
to be benefited by it, so that the sulphur lozenge is a suitable lax- 
ative for these cases. Sulphur has been also given for bronchitis, 
for chronic rheumatism, and rheumatic myalgia, but it is very 
doubtful whether in these diseases there is much relief from this 
treatment. 

2. POTASSA SULPHURATA.— Sulphurated Potassa. Synonym. 
— Liver of Sulphur. A mixture consisting for the most part of Potassium 
Hyposulphite (K 2 S 2 3 ) and Sulphide (K 2 S 3 ). 

Source. — Heat in a crucible a mixture of Sublimed Sulphur, 100; and 
dried Potassium Carbonate, 200. [3K 2 C0 3 +4S 2 ==K 2 S 2 3 + 2K 2 S 3 -{-3C0 2 . 

Characters. — [When freshly prepared it forms irregular pieces of a liver- 
brown color, which, by exposure to the air, gradually absorb moisture, Oxygen, 
and Carbon Dioxide, and change to a greenish-yellow and finally a gray mass, 
containing Potassium Carbonate, Hyposulphite and Sulphate. The compound 
has a faint odor of Hydrogen Sulphide, and a bitter, alkaline taste. Solubility. 
— In 2 parts of water.] 

3. CALX SULPHURATA.-fe Lime, p. 143. 

4. SULPHURIS IODIDUM.— Sulphur Iodide. SI[=i 58.51. 



23O INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Source. — By heating washed Sulphur, 120; with Iodine, 80, to liquefac- 
tion; when solid after cooling, reduce the fused mass to pieces. 

Characters. — Brittle masses of a crystalline fracture and a grayish or 
black, metallic lustre, having the odor of Iodine, and a somewhat acrid taste.] 
Solubility. — [Almost] insoluble in water. 

Dose, 1 to 4 gr. 

Action of Sulphurated Potash, Sulphurated Lime, and 
Sulphur Iodide. 

External. — These preparations are irritant, and are powerful 
parasiticides for the Sarcoptes \scabiei\ 

Internal. — Nothing is known of their internal action. 

Therapeutics of Sulphurated Potash, Sulphurated Lime, 
and Sulphur Iodide. 

External.— Either of the ointments will cure scabies, and 
the sulphurated potash ointment [B. P. — Sulphurated potash, 5 ; 
hard paraffin, 18; soft paraffin, 55;] is often used for this purpose 
in the same way as sulphur ointment. Both drugs have been used 
for many chronic skin diseases ; but now they are not often em- 
ployed. They appear, however, occasionally to do good in cases 
of acne indurata. Baths containing sulphides in solution are 
considered by many to be very useful for chronic rheumatic 
arthritis and rheumatic myalgia. The famous natural sulphide 
baths are those of Aix-la-Chapelle, Aix-les-Bains, and there are 
many others, which will be found described in works on general 
therapeutics ; but as in all of them the water is warm, and warm 
water is beneficial for chronic rheumatism, and the sulphides 
exist in infinitesimally small quantities, it is very probable that 
the benefit is due more to the heat of the water than to its con- 
stituents. 

Internal. — Sulphides have been given for chronic rheu- 
matism, various skin diseases, and phthisis ; but the evidence of 
good done is scanty. 



ACIDS. 2 3 



GROUP XI. 

Acids. 

Those acids which will be considered here may be divided into two 
classes. 

First, those which are strongly acid, the more powerfully acid being active 
caustics. They are Sulphuric, Nitric, Hydrochloric, Nitrohydrochloric, 
Phosphoric, Acetic, Tartaric, Citric and Lactic acids. Hydrobromic, 
Hydriodic [and Hypophosphorous] acids might be placed here, but they 
have already been considered {see pp. 226, 218 and 212). 

Second, those which, although feebly acid, are powerfully antiseptic. 
They are Sulphurous and Boric acids. 

Dilute Hydrocyanic, Carbolic, Benzoic, Gallic, Tannic, Oleic and Sali- 
cylic acids are not used as acids, and will be considered under other headings. 

Arsenous Acid and Chromic Acid are not true acids ; they are Anhydrides, 
and have already been considered {see pp. 198 and 208). 

Class I. 

1. ACIDUM SULPHURICUM.— [Sulphuric Acid. A liquid com- 
posed of not less than 92.5 per cent, by weight, of absolute Sulphuric Acid 
(H 2 S0 4 =97.82) and 7.5 per cent, of water.] 

Source. — Produced by the combustion of Sulphur or Iron Pyrites, and 
the oxidation and hydration of the resulting Sulphur Dioxide gas by means 
of nitrous and aqueous vapors. [2HN0 3 -f-2S0 2 4-H 2 0=2H 2 S0 4 -|-N 2 3 . N 2 3 
+2S0 2 -f0 2 + H 2 0=2S0 2 OHN0 2 . 2S0 2> OHN0 2 +H 2 Q=2H 2 S0 1 +N 2 3 . 

Characters. — A colorless liquid of oily consistence and very caustic and 
corrosive. Sp. gr., not below 1.835.] 

Impurities. — Nitric Acid, Lead, Arsenic. 

Incompatibles. — Alkalies, their Carbonates, Lead and Calcium Salts. 

Preparations. 

1. Acidum Sulphuricum Dilutum. — [Diluted Sulphuric Acid. 
Sulphuric Acid, 100 ; distilled water, 825 ; Sp. gr., about 1.070. Con- 
tains 10 per cent , by weight, of absolute Sulphuric Acid.] 

Dose, 10 to 30 m. 

2. Acidum Sulphuricum Aromaticum. — [Aromatic Sulphuric 
Acid. Sulphuric Acid, 100 ; Oil of Cinnamon, I ; Tincture of Ginger, 
50; Alcohol, a sufficient quantity to make 1000. Sp. gr., about 0.939. 
Contains about 20 per cent, by weight of official Sulphuric Acid, partly 
in form of Ethyl- Sulphuric Acid.] 

Dose, 5 to 15 m. 
Aromatic Sulphuric Acid is contained in Infusum Cinchonae. 



232 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

2. ACIDUM NITRICUM.— Nitric Acid. [A liquid composed of 68 
per cent, by weight of absolute Nitric Acid, (HN0 3 =62.89), and 32 per 
cent, of water.] 

Source. — Made from Potassium Nitrate by distilling with Sulphuric 
Acid. KN0 3 +H 2 S0 4 =KHS0 4 +HN0 3 . 

Characters — A colorless, fuming [liquid, very caustic and corrosive, and 
having a peculiar, somewhat suffocating odor. Sp. gr., about 1.414.] 

Impurities. — Sulphuric Acid, Nitre, and lower Nitrogen Oxides, giving 
ruddy fumes. 

Incompatibles.— Alcohol, Alkalies, Carbonates, Oxides, Iron Sulphate, 
Lead Acetate. 

Preparations. 

1. Acidum Nitricum Dilutum. — [Diluted Nitric Acid. Nitric 
Acid, 100; distilled water, 580. Sp. gr., about 1.057. It contains 10 
per cent, by weight of Absolute Nitric Acid.] 

Dose, 5 to 30 m. 

2. Acidum Nitrohydrochloricum. — [Nitrohydrochloric Acid. 
Synonym. — Nitromuriatic Acid. Nitric Acid, 180; Hydrochloric 
Acid, 820.] 

3. Acidum Nitrohydrochloricum Dilutum — [Diluted Nitrohy- 
drochloric Acid. Synonym. — Diluted Nitromuriatic Acid. Nitric Acid, 
40; Hydrochloric Acid, 180; distilled water, 780. Contains Free 
Chlorine, Hydrochloric, Nitric and Nitrous Acids, and other compounds 
dissolved in water.] 

Dose, 5 to 30 m. 

3. ACIDUM HYDROCHLORICUM.- [Hydrochloric Acid. Syn- 
onym. — Muriatic Acid. A liquid compound of 31.9 per cent., by weight, of 
Absolute Hydrochloric Acid (HC1=36.37) and 68.1 per cent, of water. 

Source. — The fumes produced by the action of Sulphuric Acid on 
Sodium Chloride are dissolved in water. 2NaCl+H 2 S0 4 =HCl+NaCl-f 
NaHS0 4 and NaCl-f-NaHS0 4 =HCl-|-Na 2 S0 4 . 

Characters. — A colorless, fuming liquid, of a pungent odor, of an 
intensely acid taste. Sp. gr., about 1.163.] 

Incompatibles. — Lead and Silver Salts, Alkalies and their Carbonates. 

Preparations. 

1. Acidum Hydrochloricum Dilutum. — [Diluted Hydrochloric 
Acid. Synonym. — Diluted Muriatic Acid. Hydrochloric Acid, 100 ; 
distilled water, 219. Sp. gr. about 1.050.] 

Dose, 5 to 20 m. 

2. Acidum Nitrohydrochloricum. — See Nitric Acid. 

3. Acidum Nitrohydrochloricum Dilutum. — See Nitric Acid. 



ACIDS. 233 

4. ACIDUM PHOSPHORICUM.— [Phosphoric Acid. A liquid 
composed of not less than 85 per cent., by weight, of absolute Orthophos- 
phoric Acid (H 3 P0 4 = 97.8) in water. 

Source. — When Phosphorus is brought into contact with Nitric Acid, it 
is slowly oxydized and converted into Phosphoric Acid. P 3 -j-5HN0 3 -|-2H. 2 
=3H 3 P0 4 + 5 NO. 

Characters. — A colorless liquid, without odor, but having a strongly 
acid taste. Sp. gr., 1.347.] 

Impurities. — Calcium Preparations, Sodium Carbonate. 

Preparation. 

Acidum Phosphoricum Dilutum. — [Diluted Phosphoric Acid. 
Phosphoric Acid, 100 ; distilled water, 750. Sp.gr. about 1.057. It 
contains 10 per cent., by weight, of absolute Orthophosphoric Acid. 

Characters. — It resembles the Phosphoric Acid.] 

Dose, 5 to 30 m. 

5. ACIDUM ACETICUM.^-Acetic Acid. [A liquid composed of 36 
per cent., by weight, of absolute Acetic Acid, (HC 2 H 3 2 =59.86) and 64 per 
cent of water. 

Source— By distilling Sodium Acetate with Sulphuric Acid, NaC 2 H 3 2 -}- 
H 2 S0 4 =HC 2 H 3 2 -|-NaHS0 4 . The Acetic Acid distills out, and is obtained 
by crystallization. 

Characters. — A clear, colorless liquid, having a strong, vinegar-like 
odor, a purely acid taste, and a strongly acid reaction. Sp. gr., about 1.048.] 

Impurities. — Lead and Copper, Sulphuric, Hydrochloric and Sulphurous 
Acids. 

Preparation. 

Acidum Aceticum Dilutum. — [Diluted Acetic Acid. Acetic 
Acid, 100; distilled water, 500. Sp. gr. , about 1.008. It contains 6 
per cent, by weight of absolute Acetic Acid.] 

Dose, 1 to 8 fl. dr. 

6. ACIDUM ACETICUM GLACIALE.— [Glacial Acetic Acid. 
HC 2 H 3 2 = 59.86. 

Source. — Distill dry Sodium Acetate with strong Sulphuric Acid. 
NaC 2 H 3 2 + H 2 S0 4 = HC 2 H 3 2 + NaHS0 4 . 

Characters. — A clear, colorless liquid, of a strong vinegar-like odor, 
and a very pungent, purely acid taste. Sp. gr., not higher than 1.058, corres- 
ponding to at least 99 per cent, absolute Acetic acid.] 

7. ACIDUM CITRICUM.— Citric Acid. H 3 C 6 H 5 7 +H 2 0[=2o 9 .5O.] 
Source. — Found in the fruits of the Lime {Citrus Bergamia) and Lemon 

[Citrus Limonum). Chalk is added to the boiling juice, usually lemon juice. 



234 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

2H 3 C 6 H 5 7 + 3 CaC0 3 = Ca 3 (C 6 H 5 7 ) 2 + 3 C0 2 + 3 H 2 0. The precipitated 
Calcium Citrate is boiled with Sulphuric Acid. After filtration and evapora- 
tion, Citric Acid crystallizes out. Ca 3 (C 6 H 5 7 ) 2 -f- 3 H 2 S0 4 = 2H 3 C 6 H 5 7 + 
3 CaS0 4 . 

Characters. — Colorless, [translucent, right-rhombic prisms, having an 
agreeable, purely acid taste.] Citric Acid, like Tartaric Acid, is often used to 
produce an effervescing mixture with Ammonium, Sodium or Potassium Carbo- 
nates, the two solutions being mixed immediately before taking. The Carbonic 
Acid gas which causes the effervescence is formed thus: — 3KHC0 3 -f- 
H 3 C 6 H 5 7 = K 3 C 6 H 5 7 + 3 C0 2 + 3 H 2 0. 

Incompatibles. — Potassium Tartrate, Alkaline Carbonates, Acetates. 

Impurities. — Copper, Lead, Sulphuric and Tartaric Acids, mineral matters. 

Free Citric Acid is contained in Limonis Succus. 

Dose, 5 to 30 gr. 

[Preparation. 

Syrupus Acidi Citrici. — Syrup of Citric Acid. Citric Acid, 10; 
water, 10 ; Spirit of Lemon, 10; Syrup to 1000. 
Dose, 1 to 4 fl. dr.] 

8. ACIDUMTARTARICUM.— Tartaric Acid. H 2 C 4 H 4 6 [=I49.6 4 .] 
Source. — Boil Acid Potassium Tartrate with Calcium Carbonate. 2K 

HC 4 H 4 6 -f- CaC0 3 = CaC 4 H 4 6 + K 2 C 4 H 4 6 + H 2 + C0 2 . Calcium 
Chloride is now added. This precipitates more Calcium Tartrate. K 2 C 4 H 4 6 
-j- CaCl 2 — CaC 4 H 4 6 -f- 2KCI. The Calcium Tartrate is finally decomposed 
with Sulphuric Acid. CaC 4 H 4 6 + H 2 S0 4 = H 2 C 4 H 4 6 -f CaS0 4 . Then 
evaporate the fluid to the sp. gr. of I. 21. Separate the Calcium Sulphate 
crystals that form. Again evaporate, Tartaric Acid crystallizes out. 

Characters. — Colorless, [translucent monoclinic prisms longer than 
those of Citric Acid, or crystalline crusts, or a white powder, having a purely 
acid taste. Solubility. — In 0.8 part of water; in 2.5 parts of Alcohol.] 

Incompatibles. — Potassium Salts, Calcium, Mercury, Lead, Vegetable 
Astringents. 

Impurities. — Lead, Oxalic Acid, Lime, and Potassium Tartrate. 

Dose, 8 to 30 gr. 

9. ACIDUM LACTICUM.— Lactic Acid. HC 3 H 5 3 [= 89.79. 
Source. — Usually obtained by subjecting milk-sugar or grape-sugar to 

lactic fermentation. It contains 75 per cent, by weight of absolute Lactic Acid, 
in aqueous solution. 

Characters. — A colorless syrupy liquid, of a purely acid taste, and ab- 
sorbing moisture on exposure to damp air. Sp. gr., about i.2i 3 . Solubility. — 
Freely miscible with water, Alcohol or Ether.] 

Impurities. — Mineral Acids, Sugar, Lead, and Iron. 



ACIDS. 235 

[Preparation. 
I. Syrupus Calcii Lactophosphatis. — See Lime, p. 142.] 

Action of Sulphuric, Nitric, Hydrochloric, Phosphoric, 
Acetic, Citric, Tartaric and Lactic Acids. 

External. — All these acids are powerful irritants when 
applied externally. The feeblest is citric. Its concentrated so- 
lution has no action on the sound skin, but is irritant to mucous 
membranes and abraded surfaces. Tartaric is stronger than 
citric acid ; it will act upon the unabraded skin, and applied to a 
sore it produces pain, a sensation of burning, and considerable 
vascular dilatation. The remaining acids are very powerful irri- 
tants, therefore even weak dilute solutions of them may produce 
considerable redness and perhaps vesication, and when the solu- 
tion is strong they are very energetic caustics ; sulphuric and 
phosphoric acids having a powerful affinity for water, are espe- 
cially active. Sulphuric acid leaves the carbon untouched, there- 
fore it blackens ; nitric stains the skin a deep yellow, it does not 
redissolve the albumin it precipitates, and it is consequently lim- 
ited in its area of action ; nitrohydrochloric is very powerful ; 
hydrochloric is the least active of the mineral acids ; glacial acetic 
acid is useful when a limited action is required. All the stronger 
acids unite with and coagulate albumin ; hence weak solu- 
tions, not strong enough to form a slough, which by its separa- 
tion may cause bleeding, will, by coagulating the blood and so 
plugging the vessels, and by coagulating the albumin in the tis- 
sues and so constricting the vessels, act as astringents and 
haemostatics. Dilute solutions of acids are cooling to the 
flushed skin of fever, therefore they are called refrigerants. 

Internal. — Mouth. — All acids have a peculiar taste, and give 
rise to a feeling of roughness about the teeth. As the saliva is 
alkaline they increase the amount secreted, consequently 
by keeping the mouth moist they allay thirst. 

■Stomach. — It is believed that, if given during a meal, acids 
will check the flow of gastric juice, as that is an acid secre- 
tion. When the amount of acid secreted by the gastric mucous 



236 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

membrane is deficient, acids taken after a meal, when all that 
the stomach can secrete has been secreted, aid digestion. 

Intestine. — Acids quickly become converted into neutral salts, 
and are probably absorbed as such. Some, especially diluted 
sulphuric, preserve in the intestine their astringent action. 
They increase the amount of bile poured into the intestine, and 
are hence cholagogues ; this is especially the case with nitric 
acid. Nitrohydrochloric acid is a very complex compound ; as 
far as is known it possesses the action of mineral acids gener- 
ally. 

Remote effects. — Acids may render the blood less alkaline, but 
never acid. They do this by combining with some of the alkali 
of the plasma. Phosphoric acid is believed to increase the 
amount of phosphates in the red blood-corpuscles. It is proba- 
ble that in their passage through the liver they check the forma- 
tion of urea. The reason for this belief is that all these acids, 
except citric, acetic, tartaric and lactic, are excreted in the urine 
chiefly as ammoniacal salts. Nitric acid is stated to be excreted 
to a small extent as ammonia, and hence slightly to increase the 
alkalinity of the urine. Acetic, citric and tartaric acids are 
decomposed in the blood, alkaline carbonates being formed, and 
the alkalinity of the urine is increased. This has already been 
discussed {see p. 61). Lactic acid is either converted into a 
{alkaline] carbonate, or passed out as carbonic acid gas in solu- 
tion in the urine. 

Therapeutics of Sulphuric, Nitric, Hydrochloric, Phos- 
phoric, Acetic, Citric, Tartaric and Lactic Acids. 

External. — Nitric acid is more often used as a caustic than 
the others, for, owing to their great affinity for water, it is diffi- 
cult to limit the action of sulphuric and phosphoric acids ; and 
the remaining acids are not so powerful as nitric acid. It is em- 
ployed to destroy warts, condylomata, unhealthy phagedaenic 
sores, cancrum oris, etc. Glacial acetic acid is used for small 
warts and corns. If this causes pain it may be diluted. Very 
dilute solutions are rarely employed for their irritant effects, 



ACIDS. 237 

but at some bathing establishments acid baths are used, but it is 
not proved that they do any good. Any well diluted acid, 
especially sulphuric, may be applied to check slight bleeding, as 
that of leech-bites, piles, etc. Vinegar can always be obtained ; 
even this should be diluted. In fever the skin is often bathed 
with vinegar as a refrigerant, and very dilute sulphuric acid is 
used as a local astringent in the sweating of phthisis. 

Internal.— Mouth. — As acids damage the teeth they should 
be taken through a glass tube. Lemon juice or citric acid itself 
is often used to stimulate the secretion of saliva, and hence allay 
the thirst of fever patients. Lemonade is a favorite drink for 
this purpose. Lactic acid has been strongly recommended to 
dissolve off the membrane in diphtheria, but there is no evidence 
that this treatment benefits the patient. Equal parts of lactic 
acid and water may be applied with a mop, or a spray of a 
strength of gj to Jj of water may be employed. Very dilute 
nitric acid has been used for the same purpose. 

Stomach and intestines. — Hydrochloric, and to a less extent 
nitrohydrochloric acid is of the greatest value in that variety 
of dyspepsia in which the acidity of the gastric juice is deficient. 
They should) as already explained, be given some little while 
after a meal. A very useful stomachic mixture consists of diluted 
nitrohydrochloric acid combined with tincture of nux vomica, 
and some other stomachic, as compound tincture of gentian. 
Lactic acid has been used for the same purpose. Acids will 
often alleviate that form of indigestion in which the patient com- 
plains of acid eructations and heartburn. For this purpose they 
should be given during a meal or before it. They then check 
the excessive secretion of acid and restrain fermentation. An 
acid mixture sometimes benefits the indigestion of pregnancy. 
Vinegar is often drunk to reduce obesity, but it only does so be- 
cause a long course of any acid will set up a mild gastritis, and 
thus hinder the digestion and absorption of food. Carbonic acid, 
taken in an effervescing mixture, is a common and very effica- 
cious gastric sedative, beneficial, therefore, in painful dyspepsia 
and in vomiting. Diluted sulphuric acid may be used as a haemo- 



238 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

static in bleeding from the stomach or intestines, but its action 
is feeble. It is, however, successful as an astringent in many 
cases of summer diarrhoea, Nitric and nitrohydrochloric acids, 
increasing the amount of bile poured into the intestines, are 
given, and sometimes with much benefit, when it is considered 
that dyspepsia is due to disordered function of the liver. 

Remote effects. — The remote effects of citric, tartaric, and 
acetic acids have already been described {see p. 61). They are due 
to the increase in the alkalinity of the blood and the urine. 
Phosphoric acid is often given to weak, sickly, anaemic children 
with the view of improving the quality of the red blood-corpus- 
cles, and possibly aiding the growth of bones, but it has not been 
proved to have any great value. The same may be said of the 
vegetable acids when employed for scurvy, and of lactic and 
phosphoric acids when given for diabetes ; indeed, the latter is 
said to do harm. Lime juice was formerly a popular remedy for 
acute rheumatism, but it did little if any good. Sulphuric acid 
is by some said to be anhidrotic in the night-sweating of phthisis, 
and had some reputation as a remote haemostatic, but it is rarely 
given now for these purposes. Rohrig found that acids diminished 
the tracheal secretion, and some physicians find that they diminish 
the secretions in bronchitis. We thus see that the remote effects 
of all acids, except citric, tartaric and acetic, are unimportant. 

Toxicology. 

All these acids are severe gastro-intestinal irritants when given in toxic 
doses. Tartaric, citric, and lactic are very rarely taken as poisons. The 
symptoms produced by the whole class are severe burning pain extending from 
the mouth to the stomach, excoriation of the mouth with the formation of 
sloughs, great difficulty in swallowing, vomiting of dark-brown, coffee-colored 
material and shreds of mucus, intense abdominal pain aggravated by the slight- 
est movement, generally obstinate constipation, but if the bowels are open the 
motions are dark, from the blood contained in them. Some of the acid gener- 
ally passes down to the larynx and causes swelling of that organ, and conse- 
quently dyspncea from obstruction to respiration. The patient becomes cold, 
collapsed, and covered with a cold sweat; his pulse is very feeble, and he 
suffers from great thirst. Post-mortem. — The mucous membrane of the mouth 
and oesophagus is softened and corroded, and whitish-gray sloughs and hsem- 



ACIDS. 239 

orrhages may be seen here and there. The coats of the stomach are softened. 
It is often contracted, and it may be perforated, the aperture being irregular. 
If the acid escapes into the peritoneal cavity, it may act on almost any of the 
abdominal organs. Should the patient have lived long enough, there may be 
corrosion and inflammation of parts of the small intestine. The mucous mem- 
brane of the throat and larynx is inflamed and swollen. 

Treatntent. — Alkalies should be given at once, e. g., soap and water, lime 
water, magnesia, washing soda ; and then demulcents, as milk, white of egg, 
oil, linseed tea. Do not use the stomach tube if Sulphuric Acid has been 
taken, otherwise wash out the stomach. Morphine may be injected subcutane- 
ously for the pain, and brandy given subcutaneously for the collapse. 

Class II. 

1. ACIDUM SULPHURO SUM. —Sulphurous Acid. [A liquid 
composed of not less than 6.4 per cent, by weight of Sulphurous Acid Gas 
(Sulphur Dioxide, S0 2 =63.9) and not more than 93.6 per cent, of water. 

Source. — Sulphuric Acid, 80; is heated with Charcoal, 20; and the 
resulting Sulphur Dioxide is dissolved in water. 4H 2 S0 4 -|-C 2 =4S0 9 -(-2C0 2 
+4H 2 0. 

Characters. — A colorless liquid of the characteristic odor of burning 
Sulphur, and of a very acid, sulphurous taste. Sp. gr., not less than 1.035.] 

Impurities. — Sulphuric Acid, mineral matters. 

Dose, y z to 2 fl. dr. 

Action. 

External. — Sulphurous acid is strongly deoxidizing, and as 
it takes up oxygen so easily from organic bodies, it readily de- 
composes them, becoming itself converted into sulphuric acid, 
and hence is irritant, but not violently so, for the amount of 
sulphuric acid in proportion to the water is slight. It is a disin- 
fectant and deodorant ; for, in virtue of its property of 
absorbing oxygen, it destroys micro-organisms and arrests fer- 
mentation. When applied to the skin it is a parasiticide. 

Internal. — It is believed to act as a disinfectant in the 
stomach and intestine, but it is very doubtful whether enough 
of it to have any appreciable action in this direction can be 
safely taken. 

Therapeutics. 

External. — Sulphurous acid is chiefly used as an antiseptic, 
disinfectant, and deodorant. Sulphur [dioxide] is employed as a 



24O INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

disinfectant for a sick room after a patient with an infectious 
disease has been in it. The chimneys and windows should be 
stopped up. A quarter to half a pound or more of flowers of 
sulphur, [or better, one or two sulphur candles, now to be found in 
pharmacies], are placed in an earthenware vessel and lighted. The 
door is shut, and the cracks around it pasted over. The room 
should be left untouched for six hours. Generally not enough 
sulphur is burned for this method to be efficacious. Sulphurous 
acid (3ij to 5j of water) is locally applied to cure ringworm. 
Foul sores may be washed with it. 

Internal. — Sulphurous acid is sometimes given internally 
with the object of preventing abnormal fermentation in the 
stomach and intestines in certain varieties of dyspepsia, but there 
is no clinical proof that it can do this, and it should be remem- 
bered that it is possible it may do harm by impeding the action 
of the normal ferments. 

2. ACIDUM BORI CUM. —Boric Acid. H 3 B0 3 [=6i.78. Synonym. 
Boracic Acid. 

Source. — Native from Northern Tuscany, or made by the action of 
Hydrochloric Acid on Borax by filtration and recrystallization. Na 2 B 4 7 +io 
H 2 0+2HCl=4H 3 B0 3 +2NaCl+5H 2 0. 

Characters. — Transparent, colorless scales, of a somewhat pearly lustre, 
or, when in perfect crystals — six-sided triclinic plates, slightly unctuous to the 
touch, having a faintly bitterish taste. Solubility. — In 256 parts of water; in 10 
of Glycerin; in 15 of Alcohol. 

Dose, 5 to 15 gr. 

Preparation. 

Glyceritum Boroglycerini. — Glycerite of Boroglycerin. Syno- 
nyms. — Glycerite of Glyceryl Borate, Solution of Boroglyceride. Boric 
Acid, 310; Glycerin to 1 000.] 

3. SODII BORAS.— [Sodium Borate. Na 2 B i 7 +ioH 2 0=38o.92. 
Synonym. — Borax. 

Source. — Native, as a saline incrustation on the shores of certain lakes 
and as a crystalline deposit at the bottom of the Borax lake of California, or by 
boiling together Boric Acid and Sodium Carbonate, by crystallization. 4H 3 B 
O s +Na 2 C0 3 =Na 2 B 4 7 -fC0 2 +6H 2 0. 

Characters. — Colorless, transparent, monoclinic prisms or a white 



ACIDS. 24I 

powder, having a sweetish alkaline taste.] Solubility. — In 16 parts of water; 
in 1 of Glycerin. 

Dose, 5 to 30 gr. 

Action of Boric Acid and Borax. 

Both boric acid and borax have the power of destroying micro- 
organisms and are thus disinfectant and antiseptic, but their 
exact value has not been satisfactorily determined. The action 
is extremely local. Solutions of boric acid will relieve itching. 
Neither substance produces any irritation. We know nothing of 
their internal action except that large doses are gastro-intestinal 
irritants. 

Therapeutics of Boric Acid and Borax. 

As they do not irritate, both these substances are largely used 
to keep wounds, ulcers, and sores sweet. The action is so local 
that they cannot be used to dress cavities. Boracic lint is em- 
ployed to dress wounds. It is made by passing lint through a hot 
saturated solution of boric acid. A saturated solution of boric 
acid (4 per cent.), [or the Glyceritum Boroglycerini] may be 
used as an antiseptic wash. Such solutions are used for ozaena, 
vaginitis, urethritis, and ophthalmia. Thompson's fluid (borax, 
1; glycerin, 2; water. 2), in the proportion of 1 to 8 of 
warm water, is commonly employed to wash out the bladder 
in cystitis. The glycerin [of the B. P., which is, borax, 1, 
water, 2, glycerin, 4,] and the honey of borax, [of the B. P., 
which is, borax, 2, glycerin, 1, clarified honey, 16,] are excellent 
applications for aphthous states of the mouth, especially in chil- 
dren. The following is a good wash for the mouth : Glycerin of 
borax, [B. P.,] 3J ; tincture of myrrh, 10 ^TL; water to ^j. Borax 
has been given, occasionally with benefit, in epilepsy. In rare 
cases its use has caused psoriasis. Boric acid is not employed 
internally in medicine, [excepting for correcting the fcetor of 
fermentative dyspepsia and in ammoniacal cystitis, where it is also 
used in solution for irrigation of the bladder]. 



242 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

GROUP XII. 

CARBON AND ITS COMPOUNDS. 

Class I. — Carbon. 

CARBO. 

0=11,97, 

Carbon is official in three forms : 

1. CARBO ANIMALIS.— Animal Charcoal. Synonyms.— Bone-black. 
Source. — Expose bones deprived of fat, in iron cylinders to red heat 

without access of air, and then powder them. 

Characters. — [Dull, black, granular fragments or a dull black powder, 
nearly tasteless.] Solubility. — Insoluble in water or Alcohol. 

[ Preparation. ] 

Carbo Animalis Purificatus. — Purified Animal Charcoal. 

Source. — Digest Animal Charcoal, 100 ; with Hydrochloric Acid, 
300, and a sufficient quantity of water. Filter, wash and heat the 
residue to redness in a closed crucible. 

Characters. — [A dull black powder, odorless, tasteless, and in- 
soluble in water or Alcohol.] Should contain no salts. 

Dose, 20 to 60 gr. ; y z oz. or more as an antidote. 

2. CARBO LIGNI.— [Charcoal.] Synonym,— Wood Charcoal. 
Source. — Wood charred without access of air. 

Characters. — [A black, odorless, and tasteless powder, free from gritty 
matter.] 

Dose, 20 to 60 gr. 

Action. 

External. — Dry charcoal absorbs gases and condenses them 
within its pores. It thus absorbs oxygen, and hence has an 
oxidizing power, parting with the absorbed oxygen to oxidize 
organic and other substances. Therefore it is disinfectant and 
deodorant. It attracts and oxidizes coloring matters, and con 
sequently decolorizes them. 

Internal. — It has no known internal action, for it can only 
absorb gases when dry, and it is quickly wetted when taken inter- 
nally. It is passed in the faeces unchanged. 



ALCOHOL. 243 

Therapeutics. 

External. — Charcoal has been recommended as an antiseptic 
and deodorant for foul ulcers, etc., but it is of very little use, for 
the discharge soon moistens it. For the same reason the poul- 
tice [of the B. P. charcoal, 1 ; flaxseed meal, 3 ; bread crumb, 
4; boiling water, 20], although some of the charcoal is put on 
dry, is a bad preparation. Charcoal is used in pharmacy as a 
decolorizing agent. 

Internal. — It has been given as a powder, as lozenges, and 
as biscuits, with the object of preventing fermentation in the 
stomach, but it cannot be any use after it is wetted. Garrod has 
shown that a table-spoonful or larger doses of charcoal frequently 
repeated, are antidotes against most active vegetable poisons, as 
opium, nux vomica, and aconite, for charcoal seems to have a 
special attraction for alkaloids. Animal charcoal is the best form 
to give as an antidote. Charcoal is used as a tooth powder. 

Class II. — Alcohol, Chloroform, Ether, and Acetic Ether. 
These substances produce local anaesthesia by evaporation. They are 
rubefacient if their vapor is confined. The stomach, heart and central nervous 
system are first stimulated and then depressed by them. 

I. ALCOHOL. 

[Ethyl Alcohol. C 2 H 5 (^=45.9. 
Alcohol is official in the eight following forms:] 

1. ALCOHOL. — [A liquid composed of about 91 per cent., by weight, 
or 94 per cent., by volume, of Ethyl Alcohol, and about 9 per cent., by weight 
of water.] 

Source. — Macerate rectified spirit with Anhydrous Potassium Carbonate 
to remove the water, then again with freshly fused Calcium Chloride, and distil. 

Characters. — [A transparent, colorless, mobile and volatile liquid of a 
characteristic, rather agreeable odor, and a burning taste. Sp. gr. about 0.820. 
Boils at 172 4 F.] Entirely volatilized. 

Impurities. — Resins or oils, detected by turbidity on dilution. 

Alcohol is used to make Chloroform. 

[Preparation. 
Alcohol Dilutum. — Diluted Alcohol. A liquid composed of about 
41 per cent., by weight, or about 48.6 per cent., by volume, of absolute 



244 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Ethyl Alcohol, and about 59 per cent, of water. Alcohol, 500; dis- 
tilled water, 500. 

Characters. — The same as those of Alcohol. Sp. gr. about 0.938.] 

[2. ALCOHOL ABSOLUTUM.- Absolute Alcohol. Ethyl Alcohol, 
containing not more than I per cent., by weight, of water. 

Source. — Ry percolation of the strongest and purest Alcohol through re- 
cently burned lime, out of contact with the air, then redistill the percolate in 
vacuo. 

Characters. — A transparent, colorless, mobile, and volatile liquid, of a 
characteristic, rather agreeable odor, and a burning taste. Very hygroscopic. 
Sp. gr. not higher than 0.797. 

3. ALCOHOL DEODORATUM.— Deodorized Alcohol. A liquid 
composed of about 92.5 per cent., by weight, or 95. 1 per cent., by volume, of 
Ethyl Alcohol, and about 7.5 per cent., by weight, of water. 

Source. — The foreign odors may be removed by distilling the Alcohol 
over about 2 per cent, of pure, fused Sodium Acetate. 

Characters. — As of Absolute Alcohol. Sp. gr. about 0.816.] 

4. SPIRITUS VINI GALLICI. Brandy. 

[Source. — An alcoholic liquid obtained by the distillation of the fermented, 
unmodified juice of fresh grapes, and at least four years old. 

Characters. — A pale, amber-colored liquid having a distinctive odor and 
taste, and a slightly acid reaction. Contains 39 to 47 per cent., by weight, of 
Alcohol, together with a volatile oil and several Ethers. Sp. gr. 0.925 to 0.941, 
which limits it should not exceed. 

Dose, indefinite.] 

[5. SPIRITUS FRUMENTI.— Whiskey. 

Source. — An alcoholic liquid obtained by the distillation of the mash of 
fermented grain (usually a mixture of corn, wheat and rye), and at least two 
years old. 

Characters. — An amber-colored liquid, having a distinctive taste and 
odor, and a slightly acid reaction. Sp. gr. 0.917 to 0.930, which limits it should 
not exceed. Contains 44 to 50 per cent., by weight, of Absolute Alcohol. 

Dose, indefinite.] 

[6. VINUM ALBUM.— White Wine. 

Source. — An alcoholic liquid, made by fermenting the juice of fresh 
grapes, the fruit of Vitis Vinifera (nat. ord. Vitacece), freed from seeds, stems 
and skins. 

Characters. — A pale, amber-colored, or str.aw-colored liquid, having a 
pleasant odor, free from yeastiness, and a fruity, agreeable, slightly spirituous 
taste, without excessive sweetness or acidity. Contains between 10 and 14 per 



ALCOHOL. 245 

cent., by weight, of Absolute Alcohol. Sp. gr. 0.990 to 1.010, which limits it 
should not exceed.] 

[7. VINUM RUBRUM.— Red Wine. 

Source. — An alcoholic liquid, made by fermenting the juice of fresh 
colored grapes, the fruit of Vitis Vi,nifera (nat. ord. Vitacece), in presence of 
their skins. 

Characters. — A deep red liquid, having a pleasant odor, free from 
yeastiness, and a fruity, moderately astringent, pleasant, and slightly acidulous 
taste, without excessive sweetness or acidity. Sp. gr. 0.989 to i.oio, which 
limits it should not exceed. Contains 10 to 14 per cent., by weight, of Abso- 
lute Alcohol.] 
Amount of Absolute Alcohol by Weight in Various Important Substances. 

[Alcohol Absolutum contains 99 to 100] per cent. 

Alcohol Ethylicum [B. P.] . . . . " 98 to 99 

[Alcohol Deodoratum " 92.5] " 

Alcohol " 91 " 

Spiritus Rectificatus [B. P.] . . . . " 84 " 

Spiritus Vini Gallici " 39 to 47 " 

[Spiritus Frumenti " 44 to 50] " 

Rum, Gin, Strong Liqueurs .... " 40 to 50 " 

Spiritus Tenuior [B. P.] " 49 " 

Alcohol Dilutum '? 41 " 

Vinum Album Fortius (U. S. P. 

1880) " 20 to 25 

Port " 15 to 25 " 

Sherry [or] Madeira ....... " 15 to 20 " 

Champagne " 10 to 13 " 

Burgundy " 10 to 13 " 

Hock " 10 to 12 " 

Vinum Album " 10 to 14 " 

[Vinum Rubrum " 10 to 14] " 

Vinum Aurantii [B. P.] a 10 to 12 " 

Claret " 8 to 12 " 

Cider " 5 to 9 " 

Strong Ale or Stout " 5 to 9 " 

Beer [or] Porter " 2 to 5 " 

[Kumyss] " I to 3 " 

Action of Alcohol. 
External. — It is a powerful disinfectant. If applied to the 
skin, alcohol quickly evaporates. It therefore cools the skin, 



246 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

which consequently becomes pale from the contraction of the 
small vessels ; owing to this less sweat is secreted. Alcohol is 
thus refrigerant, astringent and anhidrotic. But if evaporation 
is prevented in any way, such as by a watch-glass or a piece of 
gutta-percha, or the alcohol is rubbed in, it quickly absorbs water 
from the skin, and thus hardens it. Having thus passed through 
the epidermis, it dilates the vessels, causes a feeling of warmth, 
and produces a rubefacient effect. It has the power of coagu- 
lating albumin, but the coagulum quickly re-dissolves. 

Internal. — Mouth. — When concentrated, alcohol produces a 
feeling of warmth, or often even a burning sensation, in the 
mouth. If held there for some time the albumin of the super- 
ficial tissues is coagulated, and the mucous membrane becomes 
whitish, congested, and opaque ; but this appearance soon disap- 
pears, as the coagulum is re-dissolved by the fluids of the tissues. 
Directly [after] the alcohol is put in the mouth there is an increased 
flow of saliva, and the pulse may be quickened ; these results are 
reflex, for they occur before there is time for the alcohol to be ab- 
sorbed. Alcohol has a slight local anaesthetic effect. 

Stomach. — Here, also, if the alcohol is sufficiently concen- 
trated, there is a sensation of warmth or even of burning. If 
only small quantities are given, the gastric vessels dilate, the 
mucous membrane becomes red, and there is an increased secre- 
tion of gastric juice. All this [has been] seen to happen in cases 
of gastric fistula. The result of these effects is that the appetite 
is sharpened, and this explains the custom, common among many 
people, of taking a little alcohol immediately before meals, and 
also the common experience that alcohol taken during meals aids 
digestion. It also increases the activity of the gastric movements. 
Thus there are several ways in which moderate doses of alco- 
hol may help the digestive process. In some cases it pro- 
duces a local anaesthesia in the stomach, and so it may relieve 
gastric pain. It is to a slight extent decomposed into aldehyde 
and acetic acid, and consequently some of the pepsin, peptones, 
andproteids are precipitated. This hinders digestion, but usually 
not sufficiently to outdo the aid due to the vascular dilatation, 



ALCOHOL. 247 

the increased secretion, and the greater movement. The effect 
of large doses is very harmful. The activity of the gastric 
juice is destroyed, the gastric walls are inflamed, large quantities 
of mucus are poured out, and if the over-indulgence is continued 
chronic gastritis ensues, the gastric glands atrophy, and conse- 
quently we get the permanent dyspepsia of drunkards. 

A single dose of alcohol introduced into the stomach in a 
concentrated form, e.g., [clear] brandy, immediately produces im- 
portant reflex effects. The heart beats more rapidly and 
more forcibly, the vessels of the whole body dilate, especially 
those of the skin ; hence there is a feeling of warmth. The 
blood pressure rises. These reflex effects are well seen in the im- 
mediate restoration of a fainting person by the ingestion of a 
single dose of brandy. Dilute alcohol, e. g., beer, does not pro- 
duce them. They are quickly followed by the effects of alcohol 
upon the circulation due to the presence in the blood after ab- 
sorption. 

Intestines. — Here alcohol has a slight astringent effect, and 
consequently it may check diarrhoea. 

Blood. — Alcohol is absorbed more largely by the blood-vessels 
than the lacteals. It first increases and then diminishes the 
amoeboid movements of the white blood-corpuscles. It so acts 
on the red corpuscles as to prevent oxyhemoglobin from readily 
yielding up its oxygen, consequently it diminishes the oxida- 
tion of the tissues. This, in habitual drinkers of large quan- 
tities of alcohol, may lead to an imperfect combustion of fat, con- 
sequently it accumulates in the tissues, and obesity, which is 
often increased by the amount of saccharine matters alcoholic 
liquids contain, results. The skin acquires a velvety feeling. 

Alcohol is slightly antipyretic, lowering the temperature in 
fever. This is possibly due, in part, to general diminished oxi- 
dation. 

. There has been much difference of opinion whether alcohol, 
while circulating through the body, is oxidized. It has now been 
shown that, to a considerable extent, it is; therefore it is a food. 
That alcohol is a food is also proved by the fact that the weight 



248 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

of the body will be maintained if a large amount of alcohol is 
taken, even if the rest of the food is very small in amount. 

If only moderate doses are drunk, very little alcohol leaves 
the body in the urine ; with large doses the case is different. 

Circulation. — The effects upon the circulation reflexly pro- 
duced by stimulation of the mouth and stomach have already 
been mentioned. After alcohol is absorbed it influences the 
heart markedly. It beats more powerfully and more 
rapidly, the pulse becomes fuller ; these results are due to a 
stimulating effect on the accelerator nerves. The vaso-motor 
system is acted upon, all the vessels of the body dilate, 
especially those of the skin; therefore, if he previously felt 
cold, the person who has taken the alcohol feels warm. The 
blood-pressure rises, the increased action of the heart more 
than compensating for the vascular dilatation. The direct effects 
of alcohol on the circulation after absorption appear more slowly 
and last longer ; but they are clearly similar to those due to the 
reflex stimulus from the stomach, and therefore they continue 
them. The result of the increased circulation through the vari- 
ous organs is that they work to greater advantage, hence the men- 
tal faculties are brightened for a time, the muscular strength 
seems increased, more urine is passed, and the skin perspires. 
The person who has taken the alcohol, in fact, usually feels gen- 
erally better for it. This is by no means always so ; some persons 
have a headache or feel very sleepy immediately after alcohol. 
This is probably because the vessels of the abdomen or skin have 
dilated so excessively that almost all the blood in the body is in 
them, and consequently there is very little in the brain. There 
are many individual peculiarities in the effects of alcohol. 

It has been repeatedly proved that these good results are but 
transitory. The heart, although at first stimulated, is more 
exhausted after the stimulation has passed off than it was 
before. This is also true of all the organs of the body stimulated 
by the increased circulation induced by alcohol. In many cam- 
paigns and arctic expeditions it has been found that although at 
first the men, after taking alcohol, could do more work, yet soon 



ALCOHOL. 249 

they felt so tired and exhausted, that on the whole they could do 
much more without than with the alcohol. Large doses of 
alcohol do not stimulate the heart at all ; they paralyze it, both 
reflexly from the stomach and after absorption. Enormous doses 
poured into the stomach kill almost immediately by reflex action. 
A drunkard who is "dead drunk" is, accurately speaking, one 
who is killed by the paralyzing effect of alcohol on the heart ; but 
the phrase is often applied to any one who is very drunk. 

Skin. — Alcohol is a mild diaphoretic, partly because of its 
vaso dilator action, and perhaps also because of some direct in- 
fluence on the sweat-glands. As just mentioned, the cutaneous 
vascular dilatation leads to a feeling of warmth if the patient's 
cutaneous vessels were previously contracted from cold. It may 
be that part of the antipyretic power of alcohol is due to in- 
creased radiation from the dilated vessels, and also to evaporation 
of the increased amount of sweat. If a person is in a cold atmos- 
phere, alcohol, by increasing the radiation from the skin, leads to 
the loss of so much heat that he may die from cold, although at 
first the increased cutaneous circulation, making him feel warmer, 
gives him a delusive feeling of warmth. 

Kidneys. — But little alcohol is passed in the urine, much of it 
being oxidized in the body, some eliminated by the lungs, and 
traces by the skin. It acts as a diuretic ; probably this is a 
secondary result of its vascular effects. 

Nervous system. — Unless the dose be very large the whole 
nervous system is stimulated, perhaps to a slight extent directly, 
but chiefly as a secondary result of the vascular dilatation and 
cardiac stimulation. The highest functions are most affected. 
The person who has taken the alcohol talks more fluently and 
brilliantly, his wits are sharpened, he has a feeling of strength. 
If the dose has been large, the stage of exaltation of these or any 
other functions quickly passes into one of depression, the highest 
functions being affected first, and the stimulation and depression 
of function proceed regularly from the highest to the lowest. The 
action of alcohol thus illustrates both the fact that stimulation is 
usually succeeded by depression, and also the " law of dissolu- 



2 50 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

tion," which (see p. 96) states that functions which have appeared 
latest in the animal series or the individual are the most easy to 
influence, those which have appeared earlier are less easy to 
influence; and so by regular sequence till we arrive at those func- 
tions which are first developed, which are the last to be influenced. 
The stimulation and subsequent depression of function, therefore, 
proceeds in a descending scale from the highest or least firmly 
fixed function to the lowest or most firmly fixed. Thus the 
power of judgment is abolished very early by alcohol; this is so 
while the imagination, the emotions, and the power of speech 
still remain stimulated ; but soon the power of imagination goes, 
the patient loses all command over his emotions, he cries and 
laughs irregularly, but this soon stops. He next begins to lose 
control over his speech, talking incoherently and thickly; shortly 
afterwards he cannot talk at all, but can only make a noise. 
Muscular movements, which are not so highly developed as those 
of speech, are next affected; delicate, lately developed move- 
ments, as writing, feeding himself, etc , are for a time performed 
inco-ordinately, but soon they are paralyzed. Next the muscular 
movements developed before these are implicated, and the patient 
cannot undress himself or walk straight, and inco-ordination of 
these movements passes into the inability to do them at all. Next 
the activity of the reflex centres of the cord is abolished, the 
patient passes his urine and faeces involuntarily. Then the 
respiratory center, which was previously stimulated, becomes 
paralyzed, breathing is difficult, and the face is livid. Lastly, the 
heart, which was also at first stimulated, is paralyzed, and the 
patient dies. The depression of the reflex centers of the cord 
accounts for the fact that injuries which would kill a sober man 
do not kill a drunken one, for the heart and respiration, owing 
to the general central depression, are not affected reflexly by 

them. 

Therapeutics. 

External. — Four parts of alcohol to one of water form the 
Lotio Spiritus of many pharmacopoeias. Cotton or lint dipped 
in it are applied to sprained joints, bruises, etc. The alcohol 



ALCOHOL. 251 

evaporates, cools the part, consequently the vessels contract, and 
inflammation may thus be checked. At the same time the local 
anaesthetic effect of the cold relieves the pain. In a similar way 
many varieties of headache may be soothed by bathing the fore- 
head with eau de Cologne. Brandy or some other form of 
alcohol is often used to bathe the skin in order to harden it, by 
abstraction of water, and thus prevent the formation of bedsores 
or cracked nipples. Spirit lotions dabbed on the skin may, by 
means of the vascular contraction produced, stop sweating. 
Alcohol rubbed in, as in the use of Linimentum [Saponis], is com- 
monly employed for its rubefacient effect, to aid the absorption 
of inflammatory products and relieve pain, as in chronic rheu- 
matism, myalgia, etc. 

Internal. — Mouth. — A little brandy held in the mouth will 
be a local anaesthetic and relieve toothache. Alcohol is used as 
a gargle of port wine for its power of precipitating albumin and 
acting as an astringent in cases of chronic sore throat, excessive 
salivation, or inflammation of the gums. 

Stomach. — Because it increases the secretion of gastric juice, 
the vascularity and the movements of the stomach, alcohol aids 
digestion. It must only be taken in small quantities, for large 
amounts paralyze the secretion and cause gastritis, and ultimately 
lead to atrophy of the gastric glands. It should be given just 
before or during a meal. It is harmful in acute dyspepsia, but 
for the indigestion of the aged and feeble, or for those who are 
thoroughly exhausted by overwork, it is very valuable, as the 
stomach shares in the general exhaustion. It is also useful be- 
cause it increases the appetite. Owing to its anaesthetic property 
it may relieve painful dyspepsia, and may check vomiting, 
especially if taken with carbon [dioxide] gas, as, for example, in 
the form of champagne or brandy and soda-water, and because it 
increases the activity of the gastric movements it may relieve 
flatulence. A single dose of strong spirits poured into the stomach 
is Often employed with great benefit for its reflex stimulant effects 
on the circulation for those who have fainted, or who are col- 
lapsed from cold or any other cause. 



252 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Intestines. — Brandy and water will often check diarrhoea. 
Perhaps this is owing to the astringent power of the brandy. 

Fever. — Alcohol has been largely used in all sorts of febrile 
conditions. We have seen that it impairs oxidation by its action 
on the red corpuscles, that it is oxidized and is therefore a food, 
and that it is mildly antipyretic and diaphoretic. These results 
would be beneficial in fever. On the other hand, the accelera- 
tion of the pulse would be distinctly harmful, although it must be 
remembered that very often, for some unexplained reason, alco- 
hol lowers the pulse in fever ; the indigestion caused by the taking 
of large quantities, and the liability to depression of the respira- 
tory and cardiac centers, would be very undesirable. The best 
rules are that while alcohol may be given, often with immense 
advantage in fever, either to aid digestion, to slow the pulse, as a 
cardiac stimulant if the patient be much collapsed, or to produce 
sleep, yet it may, in any of the ways alluded to, do harm. There- 
fore, when it is being used, the effect must be carefully watched, 
and if the pulse becomes quick and feeble, or, as indicating gas- 
tric irritation, the tongue becomes dry and brown, or the skin 
becomes hot and dry, or the breathing hurried, or the patient 
suffers from insomn a, the alcohol should be stopped. On the 
other hand, if the pulse becomes stronger and slower, the tongue 
and skin moist, the breathing tranquil, and the patient sleeps well, 
the drug is doing good, and may be continued. We have so 
many more powerful diaphoretics and antipyretics that alcohol is 
not often given for these purposes. Of all fevers it is most used 
for acute lobar pneumonia, and, speaking generally, it is most 
likely to be valuable when one object is to keep up the patient's 
strength for a few days only, till the termination of a specific 
fever of short duration ; but it is often given when it is quite un- 
necessary. 

Nervous system. — Alcohol may, as just mentioned, be used as 
a soporific in fever. Many persons who suffer from insomnia 
find that they can sleep better for a glass of whiskey and water 
just before going to bed, no doubt because of its depressant action 
upon the highest centres. 



CHLOROFORM. 253 

Kidneys and skin. — Alcohol is occasionally given as a diuretic. 
Gin is the best form, because it usually contains some juniper, 
which is also diuretic. Although but little alcohol is excreted by 
the kidneys, it seems to be particularly irritant to the urethra in 
cases of gonorrhoea and gleet, and some authorities consider that 
chronic Bright' s disease may be induced by alcohol. Almost the 
only use made of its diaphoretic effect is as a help to cure a cold 
in the head, for which purpose a strong glass of spirits and water 
may be taken immediately before going to bed. 

Toxicology. 

Large doses of Alcohol will produce death, either instantly by reflex stoppage 
of the heart, or later by cardiac and respiratory depression after absorption. 

Chronic poisoning causes so many diseases that it is really the part of 
a text-book upon medicine to enumerate them. Very often confirmed drunk- 
ards, particularly if they take much spirits, are very thin ; this is probably due 
to the fact that strong spirits cause such marked indigestion that sufficient 
nourishing food is not absorbed. Other drunkards are fat, especially if they 
drink beer. Chronic gastritis, cirrhosis of the liver, gout, peripheral neuritis, 
delirium tremens, mania, and perhaps chronic Bright's disease, may all be 
directly due to excessive indulgence in alcohol. It renders patients particularly 
liable to phthisis, and makes them bad subjects for withstanding any severe ill- 
ness, especially pneumonia, or to undergo severe surgical operations. 

II. CHLOROFORMUM. 

CHLOROFORM.— [CHCl 3 =i 19.08. A liquid consisting of 99 to 99.4 
per cent., by weight absolute Chloroform, and I to 0.6 per cent, of Alcohol. 
Synonym. — Chloroformum Purificatum.] 

Source. — Heat water and Alcohol in a still to 100 F., then add Chlori- 
nated Lime ; [Chloroform distills over. It is believed that reaction takes place 
as follows : On bringing together Alcohol and Chlorinated Lime, the Chlorine 
converts the former into Chloral, which is at once decomposed by the Calcium 
Hydroxide, yielding Chloroform and Calcium formate (Ca(CH0 2 ) 2 ). The Cal- 
cium formate is decomposed by another portion of Chlorinated Lime into Cal- 
cium Carbonate and Chloride and water. 2C 2 H 5 OH+ioCaOCl 2 =2CHCl 3 -f 
7CaCl 2 -f 2CaC0 3 -)- Ca(OH) 2 -f- 4-H 2 0. In late years a Chloroform quite free 
from Chlorinated bye-products has been obtained from the distillation of Ace- 
one (from destructive distillation of Calcium Acetate) and Chlorinated Lime, 
from which Chloroform is produced, together with Calcium Acetate, Hydroxide 
and Chloride. 2(C 3 H 6 0)+6(CaOCl 2 )=2(CHCl 3 )+Ca(C 2 H 3 2 ) 2 +2Ca(OH) 2 
+3CaCl 2 ]. 



254 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Characters. — A heavy, clear, colorless, [mobile and very diffusible liquid 
of a characteristic, ethereal odor, and a burning sweet taste. Sp. gr. , not below 
1.490. It imparts a green color to flame. Solubitity. — In 200 parts of water, 
in which it sinks in heavy drops.] 

Impurities. — Hydrocarbons, shown by darkening with Sulphuric Acid, 
non volatile compounds, shown by not completely evaporating, and by un- 
pleasant odor, Acids, free Chlorine. 

[Purification. — Chloroform which fails to respond to tests of the Phar- 
macopoeia should be purified by the following process : Chloroform, 400 ; Sul- 
phuric Acid, 80; Dried Sodium Carbonate, 20 Gm. ; Deodorized Alcohol, 4 
Cc. Add the Sulphuric Acid to the Chloroform, contained in a glass-stoppered 
bottle, and shake them together occasionally during twenty-four hours, avoid- 
ing exposure to bright daylight. Separate the lighter Chloroform layer; add to 
it the Dried Sodium Carbonate, previously rendered anhydrous by heating it 
in a porcelain capsule on a sand-bath until it ceases to give off aqueous vapor, 
and shake them together frequently and thoroughly during half an hour. 
Then transfer the Chloroform to a dry retort, add to it the Alcohol, and distill, 
by means of a water-bath, at a temperature not exceeding 1 53 F., into a well- 
cooled, tarred receiver, until the distillate measures 255 c.c] 

Dose, 2 to 20 m. 

Preparations. 

1. Aqua Chloroformi. — [Chloroform Water. Chloroform, dis- 
tilled water, by agitation, there being always an excess of Chloroform 
present. 

Dose, 1 to 4 fl. dr.] 

2. Linimentum Chloroformi. — [Chloroform Liniment. Chloro- 
form, 300; Soap Liniment, 700.] 

[3. Emulsum Chloroformi. — Emulsion of Chloroform. Chloro- 
form, 40; Expressed Oil of Almond, 60; Tragacanth, 15; water 
to 1000. 

Dose, 1 to 4 fl. dr.] 

4. Spiritus Chloroformi. — [Spirit of Chloroform.] Synonym. — 
Chloric Ether. [Chloroform, 60; Alcohol, 940. Strength. — 6 per 
cent. 

Dose, y z to 1 fl. dr.] 

Action. 
External. — Chloroform in many respects acts like alcohol; 
but it is more powerful. Thus if allowed to evaporate on the 
skin it produces cold; therefore the vessels at the point of appli- 
cation contract, and at the same time local anaesthesia is 



CHLOROFORM. 255 

induced. If the vapor be confined, or if chloroform be rubbed 
into the skin, it acts as an irritant. The vesse's dilate, the part 
becomes red, and there is a sense of heat. This rubefacient effect 
may pass on to vesication. 

Internal. — Mouth. — If concentrated, it produces irritation 
and a burning sensation. If dilute, it has a sweetish taste, 
which renders Aqua Chloroformi a valuable vehicle for the admin- 
istration of nauseous drugs. It reflexly gives rise to an increased 
secretion of saliva, and is a local anaesthetic. 

Stomach. — The action of chloroform is very like that of 
alcohol. Large doses cause marked gastro-intestinal irritation. 
Small doses produce a feeling of warmth, dilatation of the gastric 
vessels, an increased secretion of gastric juice, and more regular 
and more powerful gastric movements. It is perhaps slightly 
astringent to the intestines. 

Absorption. — It is absorbed into the blood from the stomach 
and intestines, and, if given as vapor, from the lungs; but it is 
very uncertain what changes it subsequently undergoes. Proba- 
bly most of it is decomposed, but some is certainly eliminated in 
the breath and some in the urine, and it has been stated that it 
may be found in the blood of those who have been poisoned by it. 

Nervous system. — Chloroform is an excellent instance of the 
law of dissolution {see p. 96), and also of the well-known fact 
that drugs which, in small doses stimulate any part, in large doses 
often depress it. The phenomena resulting from the inhalation 
of Chloroform are commonly divided into three stages. 

First stage. — This is, at first, one of general stimulation, the 
highest functions being the most stimulated, usually unevenly, so 
that the patient is somewhat incoherent. The imagination is 
momentarily excited, and he experiences a general feeling of 
warmth and comfort spreading over the entire body. The mind, 
from the irregular excitation, is confused. Sight and hearing are 
stimulated, he experiences sensations of light and hears noises. 
The stimulation of all these higher functions is very transitory, 
and he quickly begins to lose consciousness ; he may be aware 
that people around him are talking without knowing what they 



256 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

are saying, but soon he hears and sees nothing. Sometimes dur- 
ing the early part of this stage he may laugh or cry. The inabil- 
ity to see and hear is quickly followed by considerable blunting 
of general sensation. At the same time that these higher func- 
tions are being depressed the lower motor functions are excited ; 
he will kick and fight, throwing his arms and legs about, so that 
much strength may be required to hold him down, and he will 
shout and talk incoherent nonsense very loudly. Almost coinci- 
dently the stimulation of the lower centres sets in ; the pulse is 
increased in frequency, and there is throbbing of the heart and 
great vessels. The first inhalation or two may produce a choking 
sensation and a stoppage of breathing, which is often voluntary ; 
but soon the respirations are increased in frequency. The blood- 
pressure at first rises a little, and the face may be flushed. The 
pupils usually dilate. 

Second stage. — This is best called that of depression. Some 
authors call it the stage of excitement, because the excitation of 
the motor centres may be continued into it. It is important to 
remember that there is no sharp boundary line between the various 
stages, they pass insensibly into one another. In this stage the 
depression of the highest functions continues, so that the patient 
becomes completely unconscious, and he appears to be in a deep 
sleep. He sees, hears and feels nothing, hence chloroform is 
called a general anaesthetic. The excitement of the motor 
functions passes into depression, and he ceases to shout and strug- 
gle. Some of the reflex centres are depressed, so that when the 
cornea is touched the eye does not shut. The pupil is contracted. 
The stimulation of the cardiac and respiratory apparatus gives way 
to depression, the pulse and respirations become less frequent and 
less strong. The vaso- motor centre is depressed, blood-pressure 
falls As he cannot feel pain, and the reflex activity is so lowered 
that the heart will not be reflexly inhibited by the shock of an 
operation, this is the period at which to operate safely. 

Third stage. — In this there is a total abolition of reflex excit- 
ability. Even the lowest reflex centres of the cord are depressed, 
so that the patient may pass his urine and faeces involuntarily ; 



CHLOROFORM. 257 

all muscular tone is abolished, and consequently the muscles are 
quite flaccid. Some of them, as those of the arm, were probably 
in this condition towards the end of the second stage. The 
pupil is widely dilated, probably because of the commencing 
asphyxia. This is the period to which the administration is 
pushed to facilitate the reduction of dislocations, or to enable 
the abdominal viscera to be felt through the abdominal wall. If 
still more chloroform is given the depression of the cardiac, respir- 
atory and vaso-motor centres continues, the pulse becomes feeble 
and irregular, and the heart finally stops in diastole. At last not 
only its central nervous apparatus, but its muscular tissue is de- 
pressed, so that it will not respond to mechanical stimulation. 
The respiratory movements become slight and irregular, with 
very long pauses between them, and as a result the patient is more 
or less asphyxiated. The blood- pressure gradually falls to zero. 
There has been much dispute as to whether chloroform kills by 
the heart or the respiration. [In the United States it has been 
generally believed that death is from depression of the cardiac 
centres.] 

The recovery from chloroform also illustrates the law of disso- 
lution. The lowest functions, such as muscular tone, are the first 
to reappear; but the patient does not usually regain his mental 
equilibrium for hours. 

With the exception of its local action on the skin and ali- 
mentary canal, and its last effect on the cardiac muscle, chloro- 
form acts entirely on the central nervous system. Even the 
peripheral nerves are not affected, unless it be just before death. 

Vomiting is very liable to occur during the administration of 
chloroform, and its advent is often made known by pallor and 
wide dilatation of the previously contracted pupil. Immediately 
before death the pupil may be either dilated or contracted. 

Therapeutics. 

- External. — Chloroform is employed in the form of the 
liniment to produce rubefacient and irritant effects in cases of 
chronic rheumatism, myalgia, and chronic inflammations. 



258 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Internal. — It may be used as a local anaesthetic for toothache, 
the tooth being plugged with a piece of cotton soaked in chlo- 
roform. It disguises the taste of nauseous medicines, and there- 
fore Aqua Chloroformi is a very common vehicle, and Spiritus 
Chloroformi is much used as a flavoring agent. In the stomach 
it acts like alcohol, and is given in the same varieties of dyspepsia 
as are benefited by that drug. Small doses may be used as a 
cardiac stimulant. 

Inhalation. — It is inhaled to abolish sensations of pain, 
whether from surgical operations, biliary, renal and intestinal 
colic, or parturition. In the last case but little need be given. 
It is also inhaled to relax muscular spasm, as in the reduction of 
dislocations or herniae, or for the relaxation of muscles for diag- 
nostic purposes, as, for example, when we wish to feel the abdom- 
inal viscera thoroughly, or to see whether a swelling is a phantom 
tumor ; or, lastly, it is inhaled to relax spasm in cases of tetanus, 
hydrophobia, or other varieties of convulsions. The A. C. E. mix- 
ture, which consists of alcohoi, 1 vol., chloroform, 2 vols., and pure 
ether, 3 vols. , is very commonly employed for all these purposes. 

The following points should be attended to in the administra- 
tion of chloroform ; 

[1. The anaesthetizer must be skilled, and give his attention 
exclusively to the production of narcosis.] 

2. The respiration and pulse should be carefully watched for 
any signs of failure. 

3. The operation should never be begun till reflex action is 
profoundly depressed, that is to say, till the stage of muscular 
relaxation has commenced. Many patients have been lost from 
neglect of this precaution, for the stimulus of the knife has 
reflexly stopped the heart. It is a common and dangerous error 
to think that, because the operation is trivial, it may be begun 
early ; most of the deaths from chloroform have taken place 
when the operation has been slight. 

4. Great care must be exercised if the heart is fatty or feeble 
from any cause, or if the patient suffer from disease of the lungs* 
or if he may be very old. 



CHLOROFORM. 259 

5. In operations about the mouth care must be taken to see 
that no blood gets down the trachea. 

6. It is desirable to have the stomach empty, therefore no 
solid food should be given for some hours before the administra- 
tion. The patient's head must be so directed during vomiting 
that no vomited matter can get into the larynx. 

7. False teeth should be taken out of the mouth. 

8. The chloroform must be pure. 

9. It should not be too concentrated. About 5 per cent, of 
chloroform to 95 per cent, of air is a good mixture. 

10. The head should be a little raised, and the lower jaw held 
up so that the tongue shall not fall back over the larynx. 

11. Special care must be taken when the operation necessi- 
tates awkward positions, especially if respiration is interfered with, 
as in the lateral position used in obstetrical, gynaecological and 
renal cases. 

[12. Chloroform should never be administered without an elec- 
tric battery and an hypodermatic syringe, in good order, being at 
hand. Amyl nitrite, ether, brandy and ammonia should be in 
readiness.] If the breathing becomes very weak, or stops alto- 
gether, artificial respiration should at once be commenced, the 
tongue being pulled forward by forceps to allow free entry of air 
to the lungs. The face and abdomen should be nicked with wet 
towels, a capsule of amyl nitrite may be inhaled, and ether or 
brandy injected subcutaneously. It is doubtful whether galvani- 
zation over the cardiac area is any use; perhaps it does harm. [If 
symptoms of improvement do not appear at once, the patient 
should be inverted.] Artificial respiration should be maintained 
at least an hour or so, even if there is no sign of returning life ; 
and if there is the slightest evidence of a cardiac beat, or a single 
automatic respiratory movement, artificial respiration must be 
persevered in even for many hours. If the face be pale, the head 
should be lowered, and amyl nitrite is especially likely to be 
useful. [In spite of all care in administration and the observance 
of all precautions, one death takes place in about three thousand 
administrations.] 



260 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 



III. ^THER. 



ETHER.— [(C 2 H 5 ) 2 0=73.84. Synonyms.— Sulphuric Ether, Ethyl 
Oxide. A liquid composed of about 96 per cent., by weight, of absolute 
Ether, and about 4 per cent, of Alcohol containing a little water.] 

Source. — Alcohol is distilled with Sulphuric Acid. Ethyl Sulphuric 
(Sulphovinic) Acid and water are first formed. C 2 H 5 OH4-H 2 S0 4 =C 2 H 5 HS0 4 
-|-H 2 0, This Sulphovinic Acid is further acted upon by Alcohol. C 2 H 5 HS0 4 
-f-C 2 H 5 OH=(C 2 H 5 ) 2 0-r-H 2 S0 4 . This process is theoretically continuous, the 
Sulphuric Acid last formed again acting on fresh Alcohol as it is supplied. The 
Ether is freed from water by redistillation with Calcium Chloride and lime. 

Characters. — [A transparent, colorless, mobile liquid, having a charac- 
teristic odor, and a burning and sweetish taste. It is very inflammable, boils 
about 98.6 F., and burns with a white flame. Sp. gr. 0.725 to 0.728. Solu- 
bility. — In about 10 volumes of water.] 

Impurities. — Water, alcohol, and fixed impurities. 

Dose, 5 to 60 m. 

Preparations. 

1. Spiritus Athens. — [Spirit of Ether. Ether, 325 ; Alcohol, 675. 

Dose, #to 1 fl. dr.] 

[2. Oleum iEthereum. — Ethereal Oil. A volatile liquid com- 
posed of equal volumes of heavy Oil of Wine and Ether. Alcohol, 
1000 ; Sulphuric Acid, 1000 ; distilled water, 25 ; Ether, a sufficient 
quantity ; by distillation. 

Characters. — A transparent, nearly colorless, volatile liquid, of 
a peculiar, aromatic ethereal odor, a pungent refreshing, bitterish taste, 
and a neutral reaction. Sp. gr. 0.910. 

Ethereal Oil is used to prepare Spiritus yEtheris Compositus.] 

3. Spiritus jEtheris Compositus.— [Compound Spirit of Ether.] 
Synonym. — Hoffman's Anodyne. [Ether, 325; Alcohol, 650; Ethereal 
Oil, 25. 

Dose, 5 to 60 m.] 

Action. 

External. — Ether evaporates very quickly, producing great 
cold, and consequently the part to which it has been applied 
becomes white from the contraction of the vessels. The cold is 
sufficient to cause such marked local anaesthesia that the pain 
of slight operations, performed upon the part anaesthetized, cannot 
be felt. To produce this result ether is best applied as a fine 
spray. If it be rubbed in, or evaporation be prevented, it, like 
alcohol or chloroform, is an irritant. 



ETHER. 26l 

Internal. — In the mouth and stomach also it acts like chlo- 
roform or alcohol. Thus ether causes a burning taste in the 
mouth, an increase of the saliva, of the gastric secretion and 
gastric movements, and dilatation of the vessels of the stomach. 
Consequently it is carminative and aids digestion. Directly it 
reaches the stomach it reflexly excites the heart, increasing the 
force and frequency of the pulse, and causing a rise of blood- 
pressure; it is one of the best cardiac stimulants we have. 
In the same way it excites respiration. It is quickly absorbed, 
and its stimulating influence on the heart and respiration is 
continued. It is thus a good instance of a rapidly diffusible 
stimulant. It is also antispasmodic. 

Nervous system. — Ether is a powerful general anaesthetic. 
The phenomena and stages of ether anaesthesia are so like those 
of chloroform anaethesia that the description already given {see 
p. 255) will suffice. The following differences, however, should 
be noticed : 

(1) The heart is paralyzed with much greater difficulty by 
ether than by chloroform. 

(2) The same is true of the vaso-motor centre. 

(3) And also of the respiratory centre. 

(4) Ether is much more irritant to the respiratory mucous 
membrane, and hence is more liable to increase bronchitis in 
those already suffering from it. 

(5) [Ether is much more likely to irritate the kidneys, and 
those suffering from the various forms of acute or chronic renal 
disease, or even from renal insufficiency, should be subjected to 
its anaesthesia only when it is administered with the greatest 
caution.] 

(6) With ether the stage of stimulation is more protracted, 
therefore there is more struggling, and the anaesthetic stage is not 
■ reached so soon. 

(7) Ether must be given nearly pure, about 30 per cent, of air 
to~7o of ethereal vapor; hence it is more difficult to administer. 

(8) The smell of ether is more disagreeable, and lingers about 
the patient longer. 



262 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

(9) Ether being very inflammable cannot be used in the close 
neighborhood of an artificial light. 

[Ether is more generally used as an anaesthetic in the United 
States.] 

Therapeutics. 

External. — Ether, allowed to evaporate, may be used to 
cause local anaesthesia in cases of neuralgia. An ether spray is 
occasionally employed to produce local anaesthesia for small 
operations ; but as the ether makes the skin hard and brawny the 
operation must be quite superficial, and even then there is much 
subsequent tingling and pain. 

Internal. — Stomach. — It may be used for the same classes of 
dyspepsia as chloroform or alcohol, and is often employed as a 
carminative to expel gas in flatulent dyspepsia. 

Heart. — Administered subcutaneously (dose 10-15 TTt) or 
by the mouth, ether is an excellent cardiac stimulant of great 
value in fainting, cardiac failure, or palpitation, its advantage 
over chloroform and alcohol being that it is more rapid in its 
action. It is very useful as an antispasmodic during an attack of 
asthma. 

Inhalation. — Ether is inhaled for the same purpose as chloro- 
form. There is great divergence of opinion which is the safer 
anaesthetic. All the published statistics in which the two are 
contrasted appear to show that ether is much safer, and this is 
what might have been expected from the contrast between the 
two already given ; but it is alleged that chloroform is often ad- 
ministered carelessly, and that with proper care it is [as safe as] 
ether. [Hare and Thornton, after a painstaking series of experi- 
ments, believe chloroform to be safe for the majority of cases, 
provided it be given by one skilled in its use, and who not only 
knows how to give it, but to detect signs of danger. The respi- 
ration should be watched, because so soon as enough chloroform 
is used to endanger the circulation, the respiration will show 
some abnormality. Death in the healthy animal is always due to 
respiratory failure, accompanied by circulatory depression which 
may be severe enough to cause death, even if artificial respira- 



ACETIC ETHER. 263 

tion be skillfully used. Chloroform may be chosen in hot climates ; 
when a large number of persons are to be anaesthetized; in 
Bright' s disease ; in aneurism ; or in great atheroma of blood- 
vessels ; in children or adults who have already bronchitis ; 
in persons who struggle violently.] 

IV. iETHER ACETICUS. 

ACETIC ETHER. -C 2 H 5 C 2 H 3 2 [= 87.8. Synonym.— Ethyl Ace- 
tate. A liquid composed of about 98.5 per cent., by weight, of Ethyl Acetate, 
and about 1.5 per cent of Alcohol, containing a little water. 

Source. — A mixture of Sodium Acetate, Sulphuric Acid and Alcohol is 
distilled. C 2 H 5 OH -f NaC 2 H 3 2 + H 2 S0 4 = C 2 H 5 C 2 H 3 2 + NaHSC\ -f 
li 2 0.] The distillate is purified from acid and water by digestion with Potas- 
sium Carbonate. 

Characters. — [A transparent, colorless liquid, of a fragrant and refresh- 
ing slightly acetous odor, and a peculiar, acetous, and burning taste. Sp. gr. 
0.893 to -^95- Solubility. — In 8 parts of water; freely in Alcohol or Ether.] 

Dose, 20 to 60 m. 

Action and Therapeutics. 
It acts like ether, as a stimulant, antispasmodic, and carmina- 
tive, but has a pleasanter taste. 

Class III.— Nitrites. 
Sodii Nitris, Amyl Nitris and Glonoinum. 
x\ll of these dilate the peripheral vessels, and increase the rapidity of the 

heart. 

I. SODII NITRIS. 

SODIUM NITRITE.— NaN0 2 [= 68.93.] 

Source. — Made by Heating Sodium Nitrate with Lead, which becomes 
an oxide, taking Oxygen from the nitrate. [NaN0 3 -J- Pb = NaN0 2 -f- PbO. 

Characters. — White opaque, fused masses, usually in the form of pen- 
cils, or colorless, transparent, hexagonal crystals; odorless, and having a mild, 
saline taste. When exposed to the air, the salt deliquesces and is gradually 
oxidized to Sodium Nitrate. Solubility. — In about 1.5 parts of water ; slightly 
soluble in Alcohol.] 

Dose, 2 to 5 gr. 

Preparation. 

Spiritus j*Etheris Nitrosi. — [Spirit of Nitrous Ether. Synonym. 
— Sweet Spirits of Nitre. 

An Alcoholic solution of Ethyl Nitrite (C 2 H 5 N0 2 = 74.87), 
yielding, when freshly prepared, not less than 1 1 times its own volume 



264 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

of Nitrogen Dioxide.] In many commercial specimens there is very- 
little Ethyl Nitrite. 

Source. — [Dissolve Sodium Nitrite, 750, in water; adding Deo- 
dorized Alcohol, 550; introduce into the containing flask Sulphuric 
Acid, 520; previously diluted, and distill. Wash the distillate with ice- 
cold water, remove traces of acid by Sodium Carbonate, 10, dissolved 
in water; agitate with Potassium Carbonate to remove all traces of 
water, and add sufficient Deodorized Alcohol.] 

Characters. — A clear, mobile, volatile, inflammable liquid of a 
pale yellowish or faintly greenish-yellow tint [having a fragrant, ethereal 
and pungent odor, free from acridity, and a sharp, burning taste.] Sp. 
gr. 0.836 to 0.842. 

Incompatibles. — Potassium Iodide, Ferric Sulphate, Tincture of 
Guaiacum, Gallic and Tannic Acids, and emulsions. 

Impurity. — Excess of Acetic Acid. 

Dose, y 2 to 2 fl. dr. 

Action. 

External. — Spirit of nitrous ether evaporates when it is ap- 
plied externally, and slightly anaesthetic effect is produced. 

Internal. — It combines the action of the ether with that of 
the nitrites contained in it. Because of the ether it is a dif- 
fusable stimulant, a stomachic and a carminative. Be- 
cause of the nitrites it acts like amyl nitrite ; but as the ethyl 
nitrite is so diluted, its action in this direction is feeble ; thus it 
only moderately dilates the vessels, and except in poison- 
ous doses probably does not affect the blood. The dilatation of 
the vessels leads to a diaphoretic effect on the skin, a diuretic 
effect on the kidney, and a lowering of arterial blood-pressure. 
The dilatation of the cutaneous vessels, the sweating, and perhaps 
the changes of the blood, produce a slight antipyretic influence. 
It is obvious that in these effects the nitrites will to some extent 
be aided by the ether. [Sodium nitrite possesses the same, but 
a more lasting, action as the spirit of nitrous ether.] 

Therapeutics. 

For its diaphoretic and slight antipyretic effects it is commonly 
given in mild febrile attacks, such as a common cold. It is also 
used as a diuretic in chronic Bright' s disease, and cardiac and 



AMYL NITRITE. 265 

pulmonary diseases accompanied by oedema [but for these pur- 
poses the sodium nitrite is preferable]. 

II. AMYL NITRIS. 

[AMYL NITRITE. C 5 H n N0 2 = 116.78. A liquid containing about 
80 per cent, of Amyl (principally Iso-Amyl) Nitrite, together with variable 
quantities of undetermined compounds. ] 

Source. — By action of Nitric Acid upon Amylic Alcohol. HN0 3 -f- 
C 5 H u OH=C 5 H n N0 2 +2H 2 0. Purify the distillate with Sodium Carbonate. 

Characters. — [A clear yellow, or pale-yellow liquid, of a peculiar, 
ethereal, fruity odor, and a pungent, aromatic taste. Sp. gr. 0.870-0.880. 
Solubility. — Insoluble in water;] soluble in Ether, Chloroform, or Alcohol. 

Impurities. — Free acid and Amyl Nitrate. 

Dose, [1 to 3 m.,] cautiously inhaled from a handkerchief in which a glass 
capsule containing the Amyl Nitrite has been crushed; % to 1 m., internally, 
dissolved in [alcohol.] 

Action. 

External. — Locally applied it diminishes the activity of the 
sensory nerves, but they quickly recover. 

Internal. — Amyl nitrite is rarely given by the mouth, so 
the following account will refer to the effects of inhalation. 

Circulation. — From the medical point of view by far the most 
important effects of amyl nitrite are those produced upon the 
heart and vessels. Within a minute of inhalation the face flushes, 
the heart beats very rapidly and violently, there is a throb- 
bing in the head, and the vessels, e. g., the carotids, may be seen 
to pulsate actively. Headache, giddiness, dilatation of the pupils, 
and increased respiratory movements quickly supervene. All the 
vessels of the body rapidly dilate, hence the flushing. They may 
be actually seen to widen in the ear of a rabbit or in' the retina. 
This is due to a direct action on the muscular coats of the 
arterioles, for it happens if the cord is destroyed. The blood - 
pressure and arterial tension, of course, fall very low. The in- 
crease in the rate of the pulse is unaccompanied by any altera- 
tion in the force of the beat; it is apparently due to a depress- 
ing influence on the inhibitory vagus centre. In toxic doses the 
heart maybe arrested in diastole from direct action on the cardiac 
muscle. 

23 



266 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Respiration. — The rapidity and depth of respiration are at 
first increased, probably from central stimulation ; the respiratory 
centres are later depressed, the breathing becoming slower and 
shallower, and usually death finally occurs from paralytic asphyxia 
of central origin. 

Nervous system. — Many of the symptoms referable to the ner- 
vous system are secondary effects of the dilatation of the vessels 
of the brain and spinal cord. Such are the throbbing, sense of 
fullness, giddiness and headache noticed directly after inhalation. 
The headache may remain some time. If much has been inhaled 
there is unsteadiness of gait and general restlessness. The pupil 
dilates, and disturbances of vision are present. The motor cen- 
tres of the cord are profoundly depressed, therefore after large 
doses reflex actions are abolished. The function of sensory nerves, 
motor nerves, and muscles is depressed by the local application 
of the drug to them, but not after inhalation until shortly before 
death. 

Temperature. — Amyl nitrite causes this to fall considerably, 
both in fever and health. The fall is due to the peripheral vas- 
cular dilatation, and if large doses are given, to the changes in 
the blood. 

Urine. — The drug probably escapes in the urine; it is slightly 
diuretic, and may cause the excretion of a body reducing Feh- 
ling's solution. 

Blood. — Outside the body nitrites greatly diminish oxidation, 
and the same takes place in the blood. After the inhalation of 
a considerable amount (more than is usually given to a man) the 
arterial and venous blood both become a uniform chocolate color. 
This is due to the formation of methsemoglobin. The blood can 
no longer absorb oxygen, and hence its oxidizing power is 
abolished. 

Therapeutics. 

Heart and blood-vessels. — Brunton in 1867 observed that in a 
case of angina pectoris the peripheral vessels were strongly con- 
tracted during an attack of pain. This induced him to make 
the patient inhale amyl nitrite, and it was found that the ves- 



SPIRIT OF GLONOIN. 267 

sels dilated and the pain passed off. Inhalation of [amyl] nitrite 
is now used for all sorts of cardiac pain, especially when it comes 
on in paroxysms. Generally the drug affords relief in a minute 
or so after inhalation, but by no means always, We do not 
sufficiently understand the pathology of angina pectoris to know 
how it acts. It may be by dilating the peripheral vessels ; but 
against that view is the fact that they are not always contracted 
during attacks of angina pectoris, and amyl nitrite may relieve 
patients in whom the vessels are not contracted. The attacks of 
pain common in thoracic aneurism may be relieved by it. It is 
used to avert the pallor sometimes seen during the administra- 
tion of chloroform. The peculiar hot flushes experienced by some 
women during the menopause are benefited by inhalation of it. 

Nervous System. — If it is inhaled when the aura is felt an 
epileptic fit may sometimes be prevented. Because in migraine 
the vessels of the head are contracted, it has been used, and 
sometimes successfully, for this complaint. Its depressing action 
on the cord has suggested its employment in tetanus and strych- 
nine poisoning. 

Occasionally the inhalation of amyl nitrite relieves an attack 
of asthma. It has been given in whooping-cough, sea-sickness 
and cholera centre, but without much good effect. 

III. GLONOINUM. 

[SPIRITUS GLONOINI.— Spirit of Glonoin. Synonym.— Spirit 

of Nitroglycerin. An alcoholic solution of Glonoin, Glyceryl (or Propenyl) 
trinitrate, Nitroglycerin, or Trinitrin; C 3 H 5 (N0 3 ) 3 = 226.58], containing 
I per cent., by weight, of the substance. 

Source. — Nitroglycerin is prepared by gradually adding Dehydrated 
Glycerin to Nitric and strong Sulphuric Acid, the result being Propenyl tri- 
nitrate or Trinitroglycerin. C 3 H 5 (OH) 3 +3HN0 3 =C 3 H 5 (N0 3 ) 3 +3lI 2 0. It 
separates as an oily layer and is washed with water and with dilute soda 
solution to remove all acid. 

Characters. — A clear, colorless liquid, possessing the odor and taste of 
Alcohol. Caution should be exercised in tasting it, since even a small quan- 
tity of it is liable to produce a violent headache. The same effect is produced 
when it is freely applied to the skin. Sp. gr. 0.826 to 0.832. 

Dose, 1 to 3 m.] 



268 inorganic materia medica. 

Action and Therapeutics. 

Its action is the same as that of amyl nitrite, except that the 
effects of Spirit of Glonoin are more persistent, and as it is only suit- 
able for internal administration, they are slower in their onset. 
It is largely taken by persons liable to cardiac pains with the 
object of warding off the attack. Some authors regard it as a 
glycerin nitrate, but certainly physiologically it belongs to the 
class of nitritis. Those who look upon it as a nitrate, suppose 
that directly it gets into the body, a nitrite is formed. 

Class IV. — Hypnotics. 

Chloral and Paraldehyde. 

I. CHLORAL. 

CHLORAL.— C 2 HC1 3 0+H 2 0[=i64.97. Synonym.— Chloral Hydrate. 

Source. — Absolute Alcohol is saturated with dry Chlorine; Aldehyde and 

Hydrochloric Acid are first formed. C 2 H 5 OH+Cl 2 =C 2 H 4 0+2HCl. By the 

continued action of the Chlorine Gas 3 atoms of Hydrogen are abstracted from 
the Aldehyde and replaced by 3 atoms of Chlorine, producing Chloral. C,H 4 
0+3Cl 2 =C 2 HCl 3 04-3HCl. It is purified by Sulphuric Acid, then by Lime. 

Characters. — Separate, rhomboidal colorless and transparent crystals, 
having an aromatic, penetrating and slightly acid odor, and a bitterish, caustic 
taste. Easily melted by gentle heat. Solubility. — Freely in water, Alcohol 
and Ether.] Forms a liquid when rubbed up with an equal weight of camphor. 

Incompatibles. — All alkalies decompose it. 

Impurities. — Hydrochloric Acid and oily impurities. 

Dose, 5 to 20 gr. 

Action. 

External.— It is a powerful antiseptic. Locally applied it 
is irritant, causing vesication. 

Internal. — Afanentary canal. — Unless diluted, chloral is a 
gastric irritant ; large doses, therefore, may give rise to vomiting 
and purging. 

Blood. — It is readily absorbed, and circulates in the blood 
unchanged. It was formerly thought that as alkalies convert it 
into chloroform and formic acid, this change would take place in 
the blood, and consequently Liebreich suggested its use as an 
hypnotic. It is now known that this view is wrong, for no chloro- 



CHLORAL. 269 

form can be found in the blood of chloralized animals, nor in the 
urine unless that fluid is alkaline, in which case chloral is 
decomposed by the alkali in the urine. 

Circulation. — Chloral depresses the heart, large doses 
having this action to a considerable degree. This is due to a 
local effect on the organ itself; probably both the muscular sub- 
stance and the nerves contained in it are affected. The pulse, 
which may at first be slightly quickened, soon becomes slow, fee- 
ble, and irregular, and the heart finally stops in diastole. The 
vaso-motor centre is depressed, and consequently the ves- 
sels dilate. As a result of these actions on the heart and the 
vessels the blood-pressure falls. 

Respiration. — After large doses the respirations become slow 
and full, and after toxic doses they become irregular and shallow 
before finally ceasing. This is due to the action of chloral on 
the respiratory centre. 

Temperature. — Large doses cause this to fall, probably by 
diminishing the production of heat. 

. Brain. — Chloral is a powerful hypnotic, acting directly 
on the brain. The stage of excitation, if it exists, is very short. 
Soon after taking a moderate dose the patient is overcome by 
sleep, which lasts several hours, and is indistinguishable from 
natural sleep. On waking there is neither confusion nor head- 
ache, and he feels refreshed. Large doses produce coma. The 
pupil is always contracted. 

Spinal cord. — At first the anterior cornua may be slightly 
stimulated, but soon they are depressed, and there is consequently 
paralysis and loss of reflex excitability. The motor nerves and 
the muscles are not affected, nor are the sensory nerves unless the 
dose is very large, when there may be anaesthesia. 

It will be observed that chloral is a powerful general de- 
pressant, chiefly of the cerebrum, but also of the respiratory 
centre, the vaso-motor centre, the anterior cornua of the produc- 
tion of heat, and the heart. It is only because it depresses the 
cerebrum much earlier than any other part of the body that we 
can use it as an hypnotic. 



27O INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Therapeutics. 

External. — The compound with camphor has been em- 
ployed as a local anodyne for neuralgia, and may be applied to 
aching teeth. 

Internal. — Chloral is largely used for its hypnotic effect. 
Its great advantages over many other hypnotics are that doses 
sufficient to produce a deep sleep are not large enough to cause 
gastro-intestinal irritation, cardiac and respiratory depression, and 
the other harmful effects. Chloral is certain in its action ; it 
quickly produces sleep ; and there are no bad after effects. 
Children take it well. 

It is especially useful in simple insomnia from overwork, 
worry, etc. Its disadvantages are that it does not relieve pain at 
all, and it should therefore not be used for insomnia due to this 
cause ; and that, as it depresses the heart and respirations, it must 
be given carefully in diseases of the heart and lungs. In febrile 
insomnia it is very valuable in the early stages, but must be given 
cautiously, later, when there is any danger of cardiac weakness. 
It does not relieve the distress and cough of disease of the heart 
and lungs. It has been used as a cerebral depressant in delirium 
tremens, puerperal convulsions, and mania, but very large doses 
are required, and consequently the results must be watched with 
great care. 

From its action on the spinal cord, chloral has been used, and 
sometimes with success, in tetanus, whooping-cough, incontinence 
of urine and strychnine poisoning. 

Toxicology. 

Acute Poisoning. — As will be inferred from the action of Chloral, the 
symptoms of poisoning by it are deep coma ; a weak, feeble, irregular, slow 
pulse, which may become quick before death; diminished frequency of res- 
piration and consequent lividity ; and abolition of reflex movements. The 
surface of the skin is cold, and the temperature is subnormal. 

Treatment. — Give emetics or wash out the stomach. Keep up the tem- 
perature by hot bottles, hot blankets, friction and massage. Prevent sleep by 
the injection of hot, strong coffee into the rectum, shouting at the patient, hit- 
ting him, flapping with wet towels, bathing, etc. Give a subcutaneous injec- 



PARALDEHYDE. 2 J I 

tion of strychnine, because of its stimulant action on the anterior cornua. Use 
inhalations of Amyl Nitrite to stimulate the heart, and artificial respiration if 
necessary. 

Chronic Poisoning. — The taking of Chloral is a vice to which many 
persons are addicted. A craving for it is soon established. The chief symp- 
toms of chronic Chloral poisoning are gastro-intestinal irritation, a great lia- 
bility to erythematous eruptions, dyspnoea dependent upon the cardiac and 
respiratory depression, and general weakness. There may be disturbance of 
the mental equilibrium, and persons have been known to become permanently 
weak-minded. A slightly larger dose than usual may be quickly fatal. 

II. PARALDEHYDUM. 

[PARALDEHYDE.— C 6 H 12 3 [=i3i. 7.] 

Source. — A product of the polymerization of Ethylic Aldehyde by means 
of various Acids or Salts. For example, Ethylic Aldehyde may be acted on 
by Hydrochloric Acid, Carbonyl Chloride (C0C1. 2 ), Sulphur Dioxide or Zinc 
Chloride; during the action, the temperature of the mixture rises, and almost 
complete conversion into Paraldehyde takes place. On cooling to below 32 
F., Paraldehyde crystallizes. 3C 2 H 4 0=C 6 H 12 3 . 

Characters. — A colorless [transparent liquid, having a strong, character- 
istic, but not unpleasant or pungent odor, and a burning and cooling taste. 
Solubility, — Tn 85 parts of water; freely in Alcohol and Ether.] 

Dose, )l to 1 fi. dr. 

Action. 

External. — It is antiseptic. 

Internal. —Even large doses do not affect the gastro-intes- 
tinal tract, heart or respiration ; but enormous doses of paralde- 
hyde weaken the action of the heart, and kill by paralysis of the 
respiratory center. 

Nervous system. — It is a powerful hynoptic, without any 
unpleasant after effects. It acts quickly, and the sleep, which 
lasts several hours, is quiet, refreshing and dreamless. Paralde- 
hyde in toxic doses paralyzes the anterior cornua of the spinal 
cord; thus it abolishes reflex action and causes paralysis. It does 
not affect nerves or muscles. 

Therapeutics. 

It is given solely as an hypnotic in the same class of cases as 
chloral, and as it does not act on the heart it may also be used 



272 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

for patients suffering from cardiac disease. It has been used largely 
in asylums to produce quiet in mania and sleep in melancholia. 
It may produce an erythematous rash. The great objection to 
its use is its extremely nasty taste, which is best covered by pre- 
scribing it with syrup and tincture of orange peel in at least two 
fluids ounces of water to insure that a usual dose will be dissolved. 
[It can also be administered in glycerin in a 25 per cent, solu- 
tion, which renders it more palatable. It gives an extremely 
offensive and persistent odor to the breath.] 

Class V. — Drugs which have an Antipyretic and Analgesic Action. 

[The single official representative is Acetanilid.] 

ACETANILIDUM. 

ACETANILID.— C 6 H 5 NH.C 2 H 3 0[=I34.73.] Synonym.— Phenyla- 
cetamide, Antifebrin. An Acetyl derivative of Aniline. 

Source. — Glacial Acetic Acid and pure Aniline are heated together, the 
excess of both ingredients is then distilled off, and the congealed residue is 
crude Acetanilid, which is purified by repeated crystallization from water. C 6 
H 5 NH 2 +HC 2 H 3 2 =C 6 H 5 NH.C 2 H 8 0+H 2 0. 

Characters. — [White, shining micaceous crystalline laminae, or a crys- 
talline powder, odorless, having a faintly burning taste, and permanent in the 
air. Solubility. — In 194 parts of water, and in 5 parts of Alcohol; also solu- 
ble in 18 parts of Ether, and easily soluble in Chloroform. 

Incompatibles. — Potassium and Sodium Hydrate, Chloroform. 

Impurities. — Aniline and its Salts. 

Dose, 2 to 5 gr.] 

Action of Acetanilid. 

It has no action externally or on the gastro-intestinal tract. 
Blood. — With ordinary doses of this drug this fluid is unaf- 
fected, but in large doses the color is changed, from the forma- 
tion of methaemoglobin. The passage of this in the urine dis- 
colors it. It causes the red corpuscles to break up, and arrests 
the movements of the white. 

Heart. — This substance depresses the heart. It is not 
known how it does this ; but what little evidence there is appears 
to show that it has a directly paralyzing action on the cardiac 
muscle. 



ACETANILID. 273 

Vessels. — Acetanilid contracts the smaller vessels from direct 
action on their muscular coat. The blood-pressure therefore rises. 
This substance is, owing to this property, a local haemostatic. 

Respiration. — This is not affected by ordinary doses. After 
toxic doses the force of the respiratory act progressively diminishes. 

Kidneys. — This substance is a mild diuretic. The excretion 
of urea is stated to be increased by it, but some say it is dimin- 
ished. Large doses cause the urine to be dark from the passage 
of altered blood. Acetanilid is said to be excreted as aniline, 
but this requires confirmation. 

Skin. — It may produce an erythematous rash, and it is occa- 
sionally a mild diaphoretic. 

Temperature. — This substance is a powerful antipyretic. 
It has a very slight action on the temperature of health, but it 
reduces it very markedly when it is raised from any cause. It 
was introduced into medicine for this property. We have already 
seen {see p. 65) how numerous are the ways in which antipyretics 
may act. The fall of temperature produced by this drug is not 
due to any action on the blood or the circulation, and it is too 
marked to be entirely owing to its slight diaphoretic action. 
It decreases heat production, and it is most likely that it acts 
directly upon that part of the central nervous system, probably 
the corpora striata, which presides over heat production. It, to 
a much less extent, increases heat dissipation. The result of 
these two actions is that the temperature falls. The proof of 
these statements is too long and complicated to give here, but we 
may mention that it is easy to show both by a calorimeter, and 
by the decrease of the products of the febrile destruction of 
tissue, such as urea, that these drugs diminish heat production. 
The experiments which have been made to show that this is due 
to an action on the central nervous system are intricate and 
require confirmation. 

Nervous system. — This drug is a powerful analgesic. Ace- 
tanilid in large doses is said to produce first convulsions, then 
coma and paralysis of motor nerves and muscles ; but all these 
statements require further experiments. 
24 



274 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Therapeutics of Acetanilid. 

Externally. — [Acetanilid has been used in form of powder 
for soft and hard venereal ulcerations, in place of iodoform.] 

Pyrexia. — This drug has been very largely used to reduce the 
temperature in fever. All physicians are agreed that when this 
is over 105 ° or 106 F., it is desirable to bring it down. In most 
cases this drug is the best means of doing this ; but as it takes a 
little time to act, if the temperature is rising extremely rapidly, it 
is better to reduce it by means of a cold bath Opinions are 
divided as to whether it is beneficial to reduce febrile tempera- 
tures of less than 105 . Probably if the fever lasts only a short 
time it is not necessary to reduce it, and therefore it is not usual 
to treat the short specific fevers, as measles and scarlet fever with 
antipyretics. But if the fever last a long time, as in tuberculosis or 
typhoid fever, many hold that it is beneficial to give antipyretics 
to prevent the tissue waste entailed by the pyrexia. The practice 
is very common on the Continent, and fairly common in England. 
Some give the antipyretic if the temperature reaches 102 F., but 
a commoner point to choose, is 103 F. Usually a single dose is 
given whenever the temperature, which is taken every two or 
three hours, reaches the point fixed. It usually falls to about 99 
or ioo°F. soon after the administration of the drug. The bal- 
ance of evidence is that toxicological symptoms are less common 
after acetanilid, which, however, does not keep the temperature 
down quite so long as [other antipyretics.] It takes about two 
hours to reduce the pyrexia to its minimum. [Acetanilid] maybe 
given per rectum. 

Analgesic actiofi. — This drug has the property of relieving 
pain of neuralgia, sciatica, locomotor ataxia, migraine, and 
various headaches. [Under the name of Antikamnia a substance 
has been introduced which is probably a mixture of 20 parts of 
sodium bicarbonate, 70 of acetanilid and 10 of caffeine. Since 
acetanilid is a cardiac depressant, the addition of caffeine may be 
advantageous in some cases. A case of death has been reported, 
attributed to the ingestion of 24 grains of this mixture.] 



CARBOLIC ACID. 275 

Toxicology. 
Acetanilid occasionally produces in man collapse, cyanosis, very slow 
respiration, a feeble and irregular pulse, vomiting, profuse sweating, and pro- 
found prostration. [Death has occurred after a dose of 5 grains.] It is not 
known whether these symptoms are due to impurities in the drug. 

Treatment. — Stimulation by alcohol and ether, subcutaneously, and by the 
mouth. Strychnine subcutaneously to stimulate the heart. Warmth to the feet 
and body. 

Class VI. — Antiseptics. 

Carbolic Acid, Sodium Sulphocarbolate, Creosote, Iodoform, 
[Naphtol, Naphtalin and Resorcin. ] 

[ACIDUM CARBOLICUM CRUDUM. 
CRUDE CARBOLIC ACID. 

Source. — A liquid consisting of various constituents of coal-tar, chiefly 
cresol and phenol, obtained by fractional distillation between the temperatures 
of 302 and 392 F., and twice rectified between the temperatures of 338 
and 374 F., 

Characters. — A nearly colorless or reddish, or brownish-red liquid of a 
strongly empyreumatic and creosote-like odor, having a benumbing, blanch- 
ing and caustic effect upon the skin and mucous membrane, and a neutral 
reaction. 

Used only externally.] 

I. ACIDUM CARBOLICUM. 

CARBOLIC ACID.— C 6 H 5 OH[=93. 78.] Synonyms.— Phenic Acid, 
Phenol or Phenyl Alcohol. 

Source.- [From Crude Carbolic Acid by agitation with warm concen- 
trated solution of Soda, heating to 338 F. , solution and treatment with Hydro- 
chloric Acid . After being agitated with table salt, digested with Calcium 
Chloride, it is distilled between 336 and 374 F. and crystallized.] 

Characters. — Colorless, [interlaced or separate, needle-shaped crystals, 
or a white crystalline mass, sometimes acquiring a reddish tint, having a some- 
what aromatic odor, and, when copiously diluted with water, a sweetish taste 
with a slightly burning after-taste. Treated with about 5 per cent, of water, it 
becomes fluid ; the crystals are very hygroscopic, and hence soon become semi- 
fluid on exposure to air. Does not redden litmus paper, coagulates Albumin. 
Solubility. — In about 15 parts of water ;] freely in Alcohol, fats and oils. 

Dose, j^toi gr. 

Preparations. 

1 Unguentum Acidi Carbolici. — [Ointment of Carbolic Acid. 
Carbolic Acid, 5 ; Ointment, 95. 



276 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

2. Glyceritum Acidi Carbolici. — Glycerite of Carbolic Acid. 
Carbolic Acid, 20 ; Glycerin, 80. 
Dose, 2 to 5 m.] 

Action. 

External. — Carbolic acid is a powerful antizymotic, 
rapidly destroying organized ferments, both animal and vegetable. 
Consequently it destroys those of septic diseases, hence it is 
antiseptic. It thus prevents the formation of the products of 
the decompositions which are set up by these organisms. For 
this reason it is disinfectant, and as the products of decompo- 
sition are generally foul-smelling, it is deodorant. It does 
not act so readily on unorganized ferments (enzymes), such as 
pepsin and ptyalin, but in large doses it likewise destroys their 
activity. Carbolic acid is not so powerful an antizymotic as 
corrosive mercuric chloride (seep. 191); for Evans (Guy's Hospi- 
tal Reports, vol. xlvii) found that anthrax spores were not killed in 
twenty-four hours by a solution of 1 in 100, but were killed by a 
solution of 1 in 20 acting for twenty-four hours, but not when it 
acted for only four hours. The bacilli of anthrax were killed by 
solution of 1 in 100 acting for five minutes, 1 in 150 acting for a 
quarter of an hour, 1 in 175 acting for half an hour, but were 
unaffected by a solution of 1 in 150 acting for one minute, 1 in 
175 acting for a quarter of an hour, 1 in 300 acting for an hour. 
Strengths of 1 in 40 and 1 in 20 are commonly employed in 
surgery. The solution in oil has no antiseptic properties. The 
power of carbolic acid to destroy low organisms makes it an effi- 
cient parasiticide against certain vegetable parasites infesting 
the skin. 

When applied to the skin in weak or moderately strong solu- 
tions, it produces local anaesthesia with a feeling of numb- 
ness, which lasts some hours. If concentrated it acts as an 
irritant and caustic, causing a burning pain, and in a few 
minutes a white spot appears, which becomes red when the acid 
is removed. If the application is prolonged a white eschar or 
slough results. There is no vesication. 

Internal. — Gastro-intestinal tract. — If concentrated, car- 



CARBOLIC ACID. 277 

bolic acid produces the same effect on the mouth as on the skin, 
and is a powerful gastro-intestinal irritant {see Toxicology). In 
the stomach it is converted into a sulphocarbolate, and unless 
poisonous doses be given, it is so diluted by the gastric contents 
that it loses its antizymotic power. 

Blood. — It is not known in what form carbolic acid circulates, 
probably as an alkaline carbolate. 

Circulation. — Medicinal doses have no effect. Large doses 
paralyze the vaso-motor centre in the medulla, and the blood- 
pressure falls. It is not until very large doses have been given 
that the heart is affected, and then its activity is depressed. 

Respiration. — Small doses have no influence on respiration, 
but large ones accelerate it, probably from stimulation of the vagi. 
Ultimately respiration is paralyzed, and death results. 

Temperature. — This is unaffected by small doses of carbolic 
acid, but large doses cause it to fall, because they diminish the 
production of heat and increase its dissipation. 

Nervous system. — Carbolic acid is a cerebral depressant in 
large doses, for coma is produced by them ; they first stimulate 
the anterior cornua, producing convulsions, but subsequently 
depress them, causing paralysis. 

Urine. — Much interest attaches to this, for even after moder- 
ate doses of carbolic acid, or absorption from surgical dressings, 
the urine may become dark. This is not due to blood, as 
was once thought, for Stevenson has shown that there is no 
increase of iron in the urine. After taking carbolic acid, salts of 
sulphocarbolic acid, and glycuronic acid, pyrocatechin and hydro- 
chihon appear in the urine. The last two are oxidated products 
of carbolic acid. Pyrocatechin is a dark-colored body, and is, 
no doubt, often the cause of the dark urine ; but this cannot be 
the sole cause, for pyrocatechin can only exist in alkaline urines. 
The presence in the urine of these results of carbolic acid is 
recognized by distilling them over from it, [and the sulphates are 
usually absent.] The distillate gives a blue color with neutral ferric 
chloride, and a white crystalline precipitate of tribromo-phenol 
with bromine water, showing the presence of sulphocarbolic acid. 



278 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Some carbolic acid escapes in the other excretions; some is 
burned up in the body. When very large doses are given carbolic 
acid itself may appear in the urine. 

Therapeutics. 

External. — Carbolic acid is largely used as a deodorant and 
disinfectant for drains, bed-pans, soiled linen, surgical instru- 
ments, the surgeon's hands, etc. Carbolic lotion (1 in 40) is 
used to wash wounds to keep them antiseptic, and carbolized 
gauze (which is unbleached cotton gauze medicated with half its 
weight of a mixture of carbolic acid 1, resin 4, paraffin 4) is 
employed as a dressing for the same purpose. A spray of a solu- 
tion of carbolic acid was formerly much used to keep the air 
around the wound antiseptic during an operation, but it is now 
discarded as unnecessary. 

Glycerite of carbolic acid is a very efficient preparation to 
destroy the fungus of tinea tonsurans or tinea versicolor ; for the 
latter it should be diluted. 

Because of its anaesthetic effect a strong solution (1 in 20) 
will relieve itching from any cause. Carbolized vapor has been 
inhaled in phthisis, but by the time it reaches the lungs it is far 
too dilute to have any action on the tubercle bacilli. 

Internal. — Mouth. — The glycerite, if diluted, may be applied 
as a stimulant to the mouth in aphthous stomatitis, or when any 
indolent ulceration is present. A gargle (4 TTi of [carbolic acid] 
to 1 fl. oz. of water) is an excellent preparation. The glycerite 
has been used for diphtheria, but probably it does no good, except 
that being a local anaesthetic it soothes pain. A piece of cotton 
soaked in strong carbolic acid will relieve pain if placed in a 
decayed tooth, but care must be taken to prevent it from coming 
in contact with the soft parts by putting another piece of dry 
cotton over it. 

Stomach. — Carbolic acid has been given to- relieve flatulence, 
because it was thought that it would prevent decomposition in 
the stomach; but it is powerless to do this, owing to the degree 
to which the gastric contents dilute it. Some state that it checks 



CARBOLIC ACID. 279 

vomiting and helps to cure dyspepsia, but it is not a remedy which 
is universally regarded as useful for these purposes. It may, how- 
ever, be tried in obstinate cases. It has been given internally as 
an antiseptic in phthisis, but it does no good, and those who give 
it forget that probably very little carbolic acid reaches the lungs. 

Toxicology. 

If Carbolic Acid is at all concentrated, immediately on swallowing it 
there is an intense burning sensation in the mouth, [cesophagus] and stomach, 
and white eschars form in the mouth. The patient is collapsed, his skin is cold 
and clammy. The breathing becomes more and more feeble and shallow, and 
finally stops. The urine is darkish -green. Reflex movements are abolished, 
and ultimately he becomes insensible and comatose. Post-mortem. — There 
are white, hard sloughs, with perhaps inflammatory redness round them, in the 
mouth, oesophagus, and stomach. The blood is dark and coagulates imper- 
fectly. In some cases fatty degeneration of the liver and kidneys may be 
found. 

Treatment. — Any soluble sulphate, such as an ounce of Magnesium Sul- 
phate or half an ounce of Sodium Sulphate dissolved in half a pint of water, is 
the natural antidote, because Sulphates and Carbolic Acid form Sulphocarbo- 
lates in the blood, and these are harmless. Before the antidote is given, 
wash out the stomach or use some very quickly acting emetic, as apomorphine 
given hypodermatically. Give stimulants freely, such as ether or brandy sub- 
cutaneously. Apply hot water bottles and blankets if there are any signs of 
collapse. 

II. SODII SULPHOCARBOLAS. 

SODIUM SULPHOCARBOLATE.— [NaS0 3 C 6 H 4 (OH)+2H 2 0= 
231.56. Synonym. — Sodium Paraphenolsulphonate. 

Source. — Phenolsulphuric Acid is formed by adding Sulphuric Acid to 
crystallized Carbolic Acid ; on heating this mixture it becomes Paraphenol- 
sulphuric Acid, which yields a clear solution with water. C 6 H 5 OH-(-H 2 SO i = 
C 6 H 5 HS0 4 -|-H 2 0. Barium Carbonate is then added, and Barium Sulphocar- 
bolate is precipitated. 2C 6 H 3 HS0 4 +BaCO s =Ba(S0 3 C 6 H 4 (OH)) 2 +H 2 0-f- 
C0 2 This is treated with water and Sodium Carbonate ; a solution of Sodium 
Sulphocarbolate is formed, and Barium Carbonate is precipitated. Ba(S0 3 C 6 
H 4 (OH)) 2 +Na 2 C0 3 =2NaS0 3 C 6 H 4 (OH)+BaC0 3 . The solution is evaporated 
to crystallization. 

Characters. — Colorless, transparent, rhombic prisms, odorless and hav- 
ing a cooling, saline, slightly bitter taste. Solubility. — In 4.8 parts of water; 
in 132 parts of Alcohol.] 

Dose, 5 to 30 gr. 



28o INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Action and Therapeutics of Sodium Sulphocarbolate. 

This substance is antiseptic, like carbolic acid, and may be 
used externally for this purpose. Internally it is occasionally 
given in the hope of controlling gastric fermentation. 

III. CREOSOTUM. 
CREOSOTE. 

Source — [A mixture of Phenols, chiefly Guaiacol (C T H 8 2 ) and Creosol 
(C 8 H 10 O, 2 ) obtained during the distillation of wood-tar preferably of that 
derived from the beech, Fagus Sylvatica Linne (nat. ord. Cupuliferce .) 

Characters. — An almost colorless, slightly yellowish or pinkish, highly 
refractive, oily liquid, having a penetrating smoky odor, and a burning caustic 
taste, usually becoming darker in tint on exposure to light. Sp. gr., not below 
1.070. Solubility. — In 150 parts of water; freely in Alcohol, Ether, Chloro- 
form and glacial Acetic Acid.] 

Impurity. — Carbolic Acid. 

Incompatible. — Explodes when mixed with Silver Oxide. 

Dose, \_y 2 to 2 m. 

Preparation. 

Aqua Creosoti. — Creosote Water. Creosote, 10; distilled water, 
990. 

Dose, 1 to 4 fl. dr.] 

Action and Therapeutics. 

Before the introduction of carbolic acid, creosote was used 
externally as a stimulating antiseptic, a parasiticide and a slight 
local anaesthetic ; and internally it was given for vomiting and 
flatulence. An aching tooth may be relieved if it is plugged 
with cotton thoroughly moistened in creosote. [The most impor- 
tant use of creosote is as a pulmonary antiseptic, administered by 
the mouth, hypodermatically, or by inhalation. To Bouchard 
and Gimbert belongs the credit of introducing the use of creo- 
sote in cases of tuberculosis. It can be administered in the form 
of an emulsion with cod liver oil and acacia ; or with the hypo- 
phosphites and cod liver oil ; or with the syrup of wild cherry 
and acacia, two minims of the creosote being contained in a tea- 
spoonful of the emulsion or in a mixture of glycerin and whiskey. 
The dose should be one-half to one minim, given thrice daily, 
and increased twenty to twenty-five minims in the twenty-four 



IODOFORM. 28l 

hours, by easy stages. Administered in the form of enteric pills 
(which will dissolve only in the intestinal fluids), a daily dosage 
of forty-five to fifty minims can be reached without inconve- 
nience. This method is preferable to that of Sommerbrodt, 
which consists in the administration of one minim of creosote in 
two minims of cod liver oil in capsules. The method of hypo- 
dermatic injection in sterilized olive oil requires a special appa- 
ratus, is very tedious, somewhat painful, and altogether irksome 
to patient and physician. By inhalation it is employed with 
equal parts of alcohol and spirit of chloroform, or in alcohol, one 
part to eight, in a perforated zinc inhaler, of which fifteen minims 
are placed upon a bit of cotton and used for fifteen minutes in 
every hour. If the best beechwood creosote is employed, no unto- 
ward results are likely to be obtained. If the dose is increased too 
rapidly there may occur some nausea, epigastric uneasiness, or 
even vomiting. Disturbance of the kidneys has been feared, but 
beyond an occasional pain in the back no other symptoms have 
been noticed, and chemical and microscopical examination of the 
urine has revealed nothing unusual. The stomach symptoms 
have been relieved by the patient placing himself upon his back, 
for half an hour after administration of the remedy. It is quite 
likely that the patient acquires a tolerance, for the daily dose of 
three hundred minims has been given for a considerable time 
with benefit although fifty minims should be considered as the 
maximum daily dose. Creosote is more efficient than either of 
its principal constituents, guaiacol or creosol, even if given in 
proportionate dose. Creosote carbonate, which contains 92 per 
cent, of creosote, does not possess the caustic and irritative prop- 
erties of the pure creosote, and can be administered in larger 

dose.] 

IV. IODOFORMUM. 

IODOFORM.— CHI 3 [=3 9 2. 56.] 

Source. — Heat together Alcohol, Iodine, Potassium Bicarbonate, and 
water. C 2 H 6 0+4l,+2KHCOg=2CHI 3 +2KlH-3H 2 0+2C0 2 . 

Characters. — Small, [lemon-yellow, lustrous crystals of the hexagonal 
system, having a peculiar, very penetrating and persistent odor somewhat 
resembling that of Saffron and Iodine, and an unpleasant, slightly sweetish, 



282 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

and Iodine-like taste. Solubility. — Very slightly in water; soluble in 52 parts 
of Alcohol ; freely in fixed and Volatile Oils, Ether and Chloroform.] It contains 
more than 90 per cent, of Iodine. 
Dose, 1 to 3 gr. 

Prepa?'ation. 

Unguentum Iodoformi. — [Iodoform Ointment. Iodoform, 10; 
Benzoinated Lard, 90.] 

Action. 
External. — Iodoform is antiseptic and disinfectant, if we 

may judge by the results obtained in 'clinical practice ; but the 
experimental evidence that it has no power to hinder the devel- 
opment of Staphyloccocus pyogenes, Bacillus subtilis, and other 
micro-organisms, is very strong, for all, except one or two, experi- 
menters state that it has no antiseptic properties. At present we 
have no explanation of these discrepancies. It is probable that 
much of its action is due to the free iodine that is given off from 
it, but in spite of this it is not irritant, but decidedly analgesic. 
It is readily absorbed from wounds. 

Internal. — Not much is known about the internal action 
of iodoform. It is eliminated in all the secretions, but chiefly 
in the urine, as iodine, iodides, and iodates. They may be 
found in the urine for three days after administration of iodo- 
form. 

Therapeutics. 

External. — Iodoform is much used as a local stimulant, an- 
tiseptic and disinfectant. The clinical testimony as to its value 
is overwhelming. 

Its anaesthetic influence diminishes the pain, if there is any, 
of the sores to which it is applied. It is an excellent application 
for all sorts of ulcers, sores and wounds, but especially for tuber- 
culous and syphilitic ulcerations. Iodoform powder is usually 
[dusted] upon them. Wounds are often painted with a solution 
of it in collodion. This is an excellent application. Mixed 
with bismuth subnitrate, it is useful as an insufflation for ozaena, 
ulcers of the mouth and throat, and tuberculous ulcers of the 
larynx. It has been used in the form of a bougie for the urethra. 
The suppository [B. P., each, 3 grains in 12 of oil of theobroma] 



NAPHTALIN. 283 

is useful in painful conditions of the rectum. It is occasionally 
employed for pruritus, and to relieve the pain of neuralgia. Many 
attempts have been made to get rid of its odor ; the best way is 
to dissolve it in volatile oil of camphor or balsam of Peru, or to 
add musk to it. 

Internal. — Iodoform has not been found to be of any use 
internally. It has been tried unsuccessfully in phthisis and many 
other conditions. 

Toxicology. 

Curious symptoms, often severe and sometimes ending in death, are 
occasionally observed after the application of Iodoform to a raw surface. 
They are a quick pulse, gastrointestinal irritation, fever, rapid collapse, mel- 
ancholia, hallucinations, dilated pupils, extensive erythema and perhaps 
eczema. These symptoms vary much in severity, and it is rare for more than 
two or three of them to be present at once. Stimulants, diaphoretics and 
sponging the skin with warm water are recommended. 

[V. NAPHTALINUM. 

NAPHTALIN.— C 10 H 8 =i 27.7. Synonym.— Naphtalene. 

SOURCE. — A Hydrocarbon obtained from Coal Tar by distillation between 
356 and 482 F. The impure Naphtalin is treated successively with Sodium 
Hydroxide and Sulphuric Acid, and is purified by distillation in the presence 
of steam, and by treating with concentrated Sulphuric Acid and distilling. 

Characters. — Colorless, shining, transparent laminae, having a strong, 
characteristic odor resembling that of Coal Tar, and a burning aromatic taste; 
slowly volatilized on exposure to air. Solubility. — Insoluble in water; soluble 
in 15 parts of Alcohol, very soluble in Ether, Chloroform, Carbon Disulphide, 
and fixed or Volatile Oils. 

Dose, 1 to 20 gr. 

Action and Uses. 

As Naphtalin is not absorbed by the system, it acts only upon 
the mucous membrane of the bowels. It is a true intestinal anti- 
septic, and is of great value in dysentery, catarrhal, typhoid and 
tuberculous diarrhoea, when it markedly lessens or entirely abolishes 
the foetor of the movements. It has also been used as a vermifuge. 
Success in the treatment of dysentery usually requires a daily 
dose of from one to two drachms, best administered in starch 
wafers with oil of bergamot. 



284 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDIC A. 

VI. NAPHTOL. 

NAPHTOL. — C ]0 H T OH=i43.66. Synonym. — Beta-Naphtol. A 
phenol occurring in Coal Tar, but usually prepared artificially from Naphtalin. 

Source. — Concentrated Sulphuric Acid is allowed to act on Naphtalin 
whereby ,3-Naphtalin Sulphonic Acid is formed (C 10 H-HSO 3 ). This acid is 
dissolved in water, saturated with Milk of Lime, and the resulting Calcium Salt 
separated by crystallization. The crystals are r"edissolved in water and decom- 
posed by Sodium Carbonate, yielding Sodium Naphtalin-Sulphurate (C ]0 H 7 
S0 3 Na). The Sodium Salt is next added to fused Sodium Hydroxide and 
Sodium-Naphtol C ]0 H 7 ONa, and Sodium Sulphite NaS0 3 is formed. The 
former is treated with Hydrochloric Acid and Naphtol is obtained, which is 
purified by sublimation and recrystallization from hot water. 

Characters. — Colorless, or pale buff-colored, shining, crystalline laminae, 
or a white, or yellowish white, crystalline powder, having a faint, phenol-like 
odor, and a sharp and pungent but not persistent taste. Solubility. — In about 
1000 parts of water, and in 0.75 part of Alcohol ; very soluble in Ether, Chloro- 
form, or solutions of Caustic Alkalies. 

Dose, 1 to 20 gr. 

Action and Uses. 
Naphtol was introduced as an antiseptic, at first in dermato- 
logical practice as a 10 per cent, ointment, in scabies, ringworm 
and psoriasis ; it is, however, irritating in eczema. It is a remedy 
of great value in obtaining intestinal antisepsis, bacteriological 
investigations showing that it destroys certain micro-organisms, 
in situ when administered to the extent of 40 grains per day. As 
it is irritating to the intestines it can be administered in keratin- 
coated pills. 

VII. RESORCINUM. 

RESORCIN. — C 6 H 1 (OH) 2 =io9.74. Synonyms. — Resorcinol, Metadi- 
oxybenzol. 

Source. — A diatomic phenol obtained by heating Benzene with fuming Sul- 
phuric Acid, whereby Benzene Metadisulphonic Acid is formed (C 6 H 4 (HS0 3 ) 2 ). 
The acid is dissolved in water neutralized with Milk of Lime, the Calcium 
Sulphate expressed, Sodium Carbonate added, filtered and the filtrate evapo- 
rated to dryness. The residue is then heated with Caustic Soda and Sodium 
Resorcin (C 6 H 4 (OXa) 2 ) is formed, continuous boiling expels the Sulphurous 
Acid, and the residue is extracted with Ether and impure Resorcin obtained by 
distillation. This is purified by sublimation or recrystallization from water. 

Characters. — Colorless or faintly reddish, needle-shaped crystals or 
rhombic plates, having a faint, peculiar odur, and a disagreeable, sweetish and 



HYDROCYANIC ACID. 285 

afterwards pungent taste, acquiring a reddish or brownish tint by exposure to 
light and air. Solubility. — In 0.6 part of water, and in 0.5 part of Alcohol; 
also readily soluble in Ether or Glycerin; very slightly soluble in Chloroform. 
Dose, 2 to 5 gr. 

Action and Uses. 

This substance, originally introduced as an antipyretic, is now 
raroly employed for this purpose, as it is too depressant to the 
heart. A solution of resorcin in glycerin, 1 in 4, is excellent for 
removing epidermic scales in chronic skin diseases, and also for 
getting rid of the scales in seborrhcea sicca of the scalp. It is of 
great value in fermentative dyspepsia when administered, well 
diluted, one hour after ingestion of food. 

Class VI. — The Remaining Carbon Compounds. 

These have no relationship to each other, and each must therefore be 

considered separated. 

Hydrocyanic Acid and Petrolatum. 
I. ACIDUM HYDROCYANICUM DILUTUM. 

DILUTED HYDROCYANIC ACID.— HCN[=26. 9 8. Synonym. 
— Prussic Acid. A liquid compound of 2 per cent., by weight, of absolute 
Hydrocyanic Acid, and 98 per cent, of water.] 

Source. — Distil a mixture of Potassium Ferrocyanide, 20; Sulphuric 
Acid, 8; and water, 65, into distilled water. K 4 FeC 6 N 6 4-2H,S0 4 =2K 2 S0 4 
-(-H^FeCgNg. On the application of heat the Hydroferrocyanic Acid reacts with 
the remaining Potassium Ferrocyanide and the Sulphuric Acid and Hydrocy- 
anic Acid distils over. H 4 FeC 6 N 6 +K 4 FeC 6 N 6 4-H 2 S0 4 =6HCN-f K 2 S0 4 
-f-K 2 Fe(FeC 6 N 6 ). The distillate is diluted with distilled water until the 
official strength is obtained. [Diluted Hydrocyanic Acid may also be pre- 
pared, extemporaneously, in the following manner: Mix Hydrochloric Acid, 
5, with distilled water, 55; add the Silver Cyanide, 6, and shake the whole 
together in a glass-stoppered bottle. When the precipitate has subsided, pour 
off the clear liquid.] Scheele's Prussic Acid is a 4 or 5 per cent, solution. 

Characters. — A colorless [liquid, of a characteristic odor and taste, 
resembling that of bitter almond.] Very unstable; to preserve it best, it 
should be kept in inverted blue -stoppered bottles. Old specimens may be 
inert. 

Incompatibles. — Salts of Silver, Copper and Iron, red Mercuric Oxide 
and Sulphides. 

Impurities. — Sulphuric and Hydrochloric Acids. 

Dose, 1 to 3 m. 



286 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Action. 

External. — Hydrocyanic acid can pass through the epider- 
mis, and then it paralyzes the terminations of the sensory nerves ; 
thus it is a local anaesthetic and sedative. It is very rap- 
idly absorbed from raw surfaces, and may cause poisoning if 
applied to them. 

Internal. — Alimentary tract. — It is quickly absorbed by 
mucous membr nes, and has the same anaesthetic and sedative 
effect on the mouth and stomach as on the skin. It must always 
be employed [well diluted]. A single drop of the pure acid placed 
inside the eye of even a moderately large animal will kill it in- 
stantly. 

Blood. — If death takes place almost immediately after the 
administration of the drug, all the blood in the body is a bright 
arterial tint ; but if death does not occur for some little time 
(within half an hour), the blood is of a dark venous color. The 
primary transitory reddening of the venous blood is due to the 
fact that the haemoglobin in it is oxidized ; we do not know the 
cause of this. The subsequent darkening of the arterial blood is 
due to the fact that it has lost its oxygen, and contains carbon 
dioxide gas ; why this should be is not certain, but probably it 
depends upon the asphyxia consequent upon the action of hydro- 
cyanic acid on the respiratory centre. If blood be shaken up with 
[hydrocyanic] acid, after some time oxyhemoglobin is converted 
into cyanohsemoglobin, the oxygen being turned out. [Hydro- 
cyanic] acid added to drawn blood alters the shape of the red 
blood-corpuscles. Neither of these actions is seen in life, for 
sufficient [hydrocyanic] acid to cause them would kill before they 
could take place. 

Heart. — Large doses cause instantaneous diastolic arrest. 
As this is also true if the drug is applied locally, we may con- 
clude that large doses paralyze the heart directly. But [hydro- 
cyanic] acid acts also on the cardiac centre in the medulla. A 
small dose will cause a slowing of the pulse from stimulation of 
the vagus centre, and the stoppage from larger doses is due both 
to the direct action on the heart and to that on the medulla. 



HYDROCYANIC ACID. 287 

Vaso-motor system. — The vaso-motor centre in the medulla is 
first briefly stimulated, but soon profoundly paralyzed ; blood- 
pressure therefore falls very low. 

Respiration. — The respiratory centre is paralyzed even more 
readily than the cardiac or vaso-motor centres, consequently 
the respirations quickly diminish both in force and frequency. 
Unless the heart has been instantaneously stopped by a large dose, 
asphyxia is the cause of death, and the heart goes on beating 
after the respirations have stopped. Occasionally, if the dose be 
small, all three centres may be at first very transitorily stimulated, 
so that for a few seconds the pulse and respirations may be 
increased in frequency, and blood-pressure may rise. 

Nervous system. — Cerebrum. — Medicinal doses of [hydro- 
cyanic] acid have no effect on the cerebrum. Toxic doses cause 
deep insensibility and coma. In man convulsions are rarely seen ; 
in animals they are common. It is not known how far the coma 
and convulsions are due to the direct effect on the brain, the 
altered circulation through it, or the asphyxia. 

Peripheral nerves and muscles. — In animals dead of [hydro- 
cyanic] acid poisoning these are unexcitable. This paralyzing 
effect is due to direct action on the nerves and muscles them- 
selves, for it does not occur in the peripheral part of a limb if it 
is connected with the rest of the body only by its nerve. In this 
case, as no blood is circulating through the distal part of the 
limb, no [hydrocyanic] acid reaches it; but if the acid be 
applied locally to the severed limb, the nerve and muscles are 
paralyzed. This explains the local anaesthetic effect of [hydro- 
cyanic] acid. 

Shortly before death the spinal cord is paralyzed. The pupil 
is dilated. We do not know of any effect of [hydrocyanic] acid 
on the kidneys, nor how it is excreted. 

Therapeutics. 

External. — Lotions of a strength of about nix of the diluted 
acid to ^ j of water are valuable for allaying itching due to any 
cause. If the skin is abraded they must not be used. 



255 INORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Internal. — Small doses, i to 2 tlX °f tne diluted acid, are 
used for their sedative effect on the nerves of the stomach, to 
allay vomiting, and to relieve gastric pain, whatever be their 
cause, and often with good effect. A useful way of giving it is in 
an effervescent draught. [Since the effect of the remedy is tran- 
sient, it should be given at frequent intervals.] It is a common 
ingredient of cough mixtures, for by its depressing effect on the 
central nervous system it diminishes reflex excitability, and is 
consequently most serviceable for a dry, hacking cough by means 
of which nothing is expectorated. 

Toxicology. 

With a large dose the symptoms usually begin in a few seconds ; it is rare 
for them to be delayed more than two minutes. The patient is perfectly 
insensible ; the eyes are fixed and glistening, the pupils dilated, the limbs 
flaccid, the skin cold and clammy. The respiration is slow, deep and convul- 
sive ; the pulse almost imperceptible. Post Mortem. — There may be an odor 
of [Hydrocyanic] Acid about the body, wi.ich is very livid. The fingers are 
clenched, the jaws firmly closed, and there is froth at the mouth ; the eyes are 
fixed and glistening, and the pupils dilated. The stomach may be a little 
reddened ; the blood is very dark. 

Treatment. — Wash out the stomach immediately. If emetics are availa- 
ble, large doses must be given promptly, for every moment is important. Give 
Ether or Brandy and i?V gr. of Atropine subcutaneously. Use inhalations of 
Ammonia and artificial respirations. 

[II. PETROLATUM. 

1. PETROLATUM LIQUIDUM.— Liquid Petrolatum. 

Source. — A mixture of Hydrocarbons, chiefly of the Marsh-gas series, 
obtained by distilling off the lighter and more volatile portions from Petroleum, 
and purifying the residue when it has the desired consistence. 

Characters. — A colorless, or more or less yellowish, oily, transparent 
liquid, without odor or taste, or giving off, when heated, a faint odor of Petro- 
leum. Sp. gr., about 0.875 to 0.945. Solubility. — Insoluble in water ; scarcely 
soluble in cold or hot Alcohol, or in cold Absolute Alcohol; but soluble in 
boiling Absolute Alcohol, and readily soluble in Ether, Chloroform, Carbon 
Disulphide, Oil of Turpentine, Benzin, Benzol, and fixed or volatile oils. 

2. PETROLATUM MOLLE.— Soft Petrolatum. Synonym.— Soft 
Petroleum Ointment. 

Source. — A mixture of Hydrocarbons, chiefly of the Marsh-gas series, 



PETROLATUM. 289 

obtained by distilling off the lighter and more volatile portions from Petroleum, 
and purifying the residue when it has the desired melting point. 

When Petrolatum is prescribed or ordered without further specification, 
Soft Petrolatum (Petrolatum Molle) is to be dispensed. 

Characters. — A fat-like mass, of about the consistence of an ointment, 
varying from white to yellowish or yellow, more or less fluorescent when 
yellow, especially after being melted, transparent in thin layers, completely 
amorphous, and without odor or taste, or giving off, when heated, a faint odor 
of Petroleum. If a portion of Soft Petrolatum be liquefied, and brought to a 
temperature of 140 F., it will have a specific gravity of about 0.820 to 0.840. 
The melting point of Soft Petrolatum ranges between about 104 and 113 F. 

3. PETROLATUM SPISSUM.— Hard Petrolatum. Synonym.— 
Hard Petroleum Ointment. 

Source. — A mixture of Hydrocarbons, chiefly of the Marsh-gas series, 
obtained by distilling off the lighter and more volatile portions from Petroleum, 
and purifying the residue when it has the desired melting point. 

Characters. — A fat-like mass, of about the consistence of a cerate, vary- 
ing from white to yellowish, or yellow, more or less fluorescent when yellow, 
especially after being melted, transparent in thin layers, completely amorphous, 
and without odor or taste, or giving off, when heated, a faint odor of Petroleum. 
If a portion of Hard Petrolatum be liquefied, and brought to a temperature of 
142 F., it will have a specific gravity of about 0.820 to 0.850. The melting 
point of Hard Petrolatum ranges between about 113° and 125 F. 

Impurities. — Fixed oils, fats of animal or vegetable origin, resin, organic 
impurities. 

Action and Uses. 

Petrolatum is used exclusively as a bland, neutral protective, 
and, because it does not become rancid or an irritant, as a sub- 
stitute for fatty materials in ointments. As it is absorbed with 
difficulty it is not a good vehicle for the absorption of drugs by 
the skin. Liquid petrolatum has been used as a local soothing 
application in inflammation of the mucous membrane of the 
nose, throat, larynx and even of the bronchial tubes. It is then 
applied with an atomizer and may be employed as a vehicle for 
medicinal substances.] 
25 



Part II.— ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 



Deliriants 



Section I.— PHARMACOPCE1AL SUBSTANCES DERIVED FROM 
THE VEGETABLE KINGDOM. 

The drugs comprehended in this section may be arranged in many ways; 
but there are objections to each. Inasmuch as the medical student should be 
well acquainted with the actions of these drugs in health and disease, those 
which act similarly will be grouped together. 

GROUP I. 

Drugs acting chiefly on the Nervous System. 

These may be classified as follows : 
Class I. — Acting on the cerebrum. 

A. Cerebral depressants or soporifics : 

Opium, Hop, Lettuce. 

B. Cerebral excitants : 
BeHadonna. ~\ Also act on nerve endings 
Stramonium. V in glands and involuntary 
Hyoscyamus. j muscle. 
Cannabis Indica. 

Caffeine, [Guarana]. 
Class II. — Acting on the spinal cord. 

A. Exciting the cells of the anterior cornua. Strychnine. 

B. Depressing the cells of the anterior cornua. Calabar bean, 
Gelsemium. 

Class III. — Acting on the nerves. 

A. Depressing the motor nerves. Conium, [Tobacco.] 

B. Depressing the sensory nerves. [Coca.] Cocaine. 

C. Stimulating the secretory nerves. [Pilocarpus.] 

OPIUM. 
OPIUM. — [The concrete, milky exudation obtained by incising the 
unripe capsules of Papaver somniferum Linne (nat. ord. Papaveracece), and 
yielding, in its normal, moist condition, not less than 9 per cent, of crystallized 
morphine, when assayed. Habitat. — Western Asia; cultivated.] 

Characters. — [In irregular or subglobular cakes, with the remnants of 
29O 



OPIUM. 29I 

poppy leaves and fruits of a species of Rumex adhering to the surface ; plastic, 
or of a harder consistence; chestnut-brown or darker, and somewhat shining; 
internally showing some tears and fragments of vegetable tissue. It has a 
sharp, narcotic odor, and a peculiar, bitter taste.] 

Varieties. — The above is the official opium; but the following are met 
with in commerce, and may be used to prepare the alkaloids : (a) Constanti 
nople Opium, small lenticular masses, ^ to ^ lb. in weight, and enclosed in a 
poppy leaf, but without the Rumex seeds. Sometimes the terms Turkey and 
Levant Opium include this. (b) Egyptian Opium. Flat, more or less circular 
cakes, two or three inches in diameter, reddish hue internally, covered with a 
leaf externally. 

Composition. — (1) Alkaloids. — At least nineteen in number. Most are 
combined with Meconic Acid, some with Sulphuric Acid, and some are free. 
Some Morphine Salts and Codeine are official. These two alkaloids and Nar- 
ceine and Thebaine are important. The following are the alkaloids existing 
in Opium: 

Morphine [(2.5 to 22.8 per cent.)] Hydrocotarnine [in minute quan- 

Codeine [(0.2 to 0.7 per cent.)] tity.] 

Thebaine [(0.15 to I per cent.)] Laudanine [in minute quantity.] 

Narcotine [(1.3 to 10 per cent.) ] Laudanosine [in minute quantity.] 

Narceine [(0.1 to 0.7 per cent.).] Meconidine [in minute quantity.] 

Papaverine [(1 per cent.).] Rhceadine [in minute quantity.] 

Pseudomorphine [(0.2 per cent.) ] Codamine [in minute quantity.] 

Protopine [(in minute quantity).] Gnoscopine [in minute quantity.] 

Oxynarcotine [in minute quantity.] Lanthopine [in minute quantity.] 

Cryptopine [in minute quantity.] [Deuteropine (not known in pure 

state).] 

(2) Neutral bodies. — Two in number : 

Meconin. Meconoiosin. 

(3) Organic acids. — Two in Number. [Meconic Acid is official in B. P.] 

Meconic Acid. Lactic Acid. 

(4) Water, \about~\ 16 per cent. 

(5) Mucilage, resin, [pectin, ] glucose, fats, essential oil, caoutchouc, odorous 
substances, and ammonium, calcium and magnesium salts. 

Impurities. — Water, stones, fruits, leaves, starch, [gum, lead balls.] 
Incompatibles. — Ferric chloride gives a deep red color (due to Meconic 
Acid). Copper and Arsenic Salts, Silver Nitrate, Lead Acetate and Subacetate, 
give precipitates of meconates, sulphates and coloring matters. All Tannin-con- 
taining preparations precipitate Codeine Tannate. Fixed Alkalies, their Car- 
bonates and Ammonia precipitate Morphine and Narcotine. The small amount 
of Glucose in Opium may cause it to explode when made into a pill with 
Silver Nitrate. 

Dose, ^ to 2 gr. 



292 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

[OPII PULVIS. — Powdered Opium. Opium, dried at a temperature 
not exceeding 185 F., and reduced to a very fine powder. 

Powdered Opium, for pharmaceutical or medicinal purposes, when assayed 
should yield not less than 13 nor more than 15 per cent, of Crystallized Mor- 
phine. Any Powdered Opium of a higher percentage may be brought within 
these limits by admixture with Powdered Opium of a lower percentage, in 
proper proportions. 

Dose, ^ to 2 gr. 

Preparations. 

1. Extractum Opii. — Extract of Opium. Powdered Opium, 
100 ; distilled water, 1000; Sugar of Milk, a sufficient quantity; by 
trituration, filtration and evaporation. 

Dose, yi to 1 gr. 

Extract of Opium is used to make Emplastrum Opii. 

2. Emplastrum Opii. — Opium Plaster. Extract of Opium, 60 ; 
Burgundy Pitch, 180; Lead Plaster, 780; water, 80. 

3. Trochisci Glycyrrhizae et Opii. — Troches of Glycyrrhiza 
and Opium. Extract of Glycyrrhiza, 15 ; Powdered Opium, 0.5 ; Acacia? 
12 ; Sugar, 20 gm. ; Oil of Anise, 0.2 cc. To make 100 troches. Each 
troche contains about -^ gr. Opium. 

Dose, 1 to 4 troches. 

4. Vinum Opii. — Wine of Opium. Synonym. — Sydenham's 
Laudanum. Powdered Opium, 100 ; Cassia Cinnamon, 10; Cloves, 10 ; 
Alcohol, 150; White Wine to 1000 ; by maceration and filtration. 

Dose, 3 to 20 m. 

5. Pilulae Opii. — Pills of Opium. Powdered Opium, 6.5 ; soap, 
2 gm. To make 100 pills. Each pill contains I gr. Opium. 

Dose, 1 to 2. 

6. Pulvis Ipecacuanhae et Opii. — Powder of Ipecac and Opium. 
Synonym. — Dover's Powder. Powdered Opium, 10 ; Ipecac, 10; 
Sugar of Milk, 80. 

Dose, 3 to 15 gr. 

7. Acetum Opii. — Vinegar of Opium. Synonym. — Black Drop. 
Powdered Opium, 100; nutmeg, 30; sugar, 200; Diluted Acetic Acid 
to 1000; by maceration and percolation. 

Dose, 3 to 20 m. 

8. Tinctura Opii. Tincture of Opium. Synonym. — Laudanum. 
Powdered Opium, 100 ; Alcohol, 400; water, 400; diluted Alcohol to 
1000; by maceration with precipitated Calcium Phosphate, 50; and 
percolation. 

Dose, 3 to 20 m. 



OPIUM. 293 

9. Tinctura Opii Camphorata. — Camphorated Tincture of Opium. 
Synonym. — Paregoric. Powdered Opium, 4 ; Benzoic Acid, 4 ; Cam- 
phor, 4; Oil of Anise, 4; Glycerin, 40; diluted Alcohol to 1000; by 
maceration and percolation. 

Dose, 1 to 4 fl. dr. 

10. Opium Deodoratum. — Deodorized Opium. Synonym. — 
Opium Denarcotisatum. Powdered Opium (containing 13 to 15 per 
cent, of Morphine), 10c ; macerated with Ether, 700; the clear solution 
poured off, and macerated twice with Ether, 350. The residue is dried 
and mixed with Sugar of Milk by trituration to weigh 100 parts. 

Dose, }( to 2 gr. 

11. Tinctura Opii Deodorati. — Tincture of Deodorized Opium. 
Powdered Opium, 100 ; Ether, 200; Alcohol, 200; water to 1000. By 
maceration with precipitated Calcium Phosphate, 50; by percolation 
and evaporation. 

Dose, 3 to 20 m. 

Deodorized Tincture of Opium is used to make Tinctura Ipecacu- 
anha et Opii. 

12. Tinctura Ipecacuanha? et Opii. — Tincture of Ipecac and 
Opium. Tincture of Deodorized Opium, 1 000 ; Fluid Extract of Ipecac, 
100 ; diluted Alcohol to looo. By evaporation and filtration. 

Dose, 3 to 15 m.] 

It will be noticed that from [Extract of Opium there is prepared Emplas- 
trum Opii, and from the Deodorized Tincture, Tinctura Ipecacuanha et Opii.] 

The following list, in which the doses are arranged, may assist the student : 



J %—2 gr. 



A r ame. Dose. 

— [Extractum Opii ]/% — 1 gr. 

— Pulvis Opii 

— Opium Deodoratum 

— Pulvis Ipecacuanha et Opii 3 — 15 gr. 

— Tinctura Ipecac et Opii] 3 — 15 m. 

— Vinum Opii 

— Tinctura Opii ." 

— [Tinctura Opii Deodorati 

— Acetum Opii 

— Tinctura Opii Camphorata I — 4 fl. dr. 

— Pilulse Opii I to 2 pills. 

— Trochisci Glycyrrhizae et Opii] I to 4 troches. 

— Emplastrum Opii Externally. 



\ 3- 



294 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

MORPHIN A.— Morphine. [C 17 H 19 NO s + ^0=302.34. 

Source. — An Alkaloid obtained from Opium. Opium is macerated with 
distilled water, and strained, the infusion is evaporated and filtered. To the 
filtrate Alcohol and Water of Ammonia are added, and the Morphine crystal- 
lizes out. To purify the crystals, they are boiled with Alcohol, the solution 
filtered, when hot, through Animal Charcoal, and set aside to crystallize. 

Characters. — Colorless or white, shining prismatic crystals, or fine 
needles, or a crystalline powder, having a bitter taste. Solubility. — In 4350 
parts of water.] 

Dose, yi to % gr. 

MORPHINE HYDROCHLORAS.- [Morphine Hydrochlorate. 

C 17 H 19 N0 3 HC1+ 3 H 2 0= 3 74.63.] 

Source. — (1) Take a cold concentrated watery solution of Opium 
precipitate the meconic acid and resins with Calcium Chloride. The solution 
contains Morphine Hydrochlorate. (2) Evaporate the solution till it is 
solid, press to remove coloring matter, exhaust with boiling water, filter, and 
again evaporate and press; repeat this till the solution is nearly colorless. 
(3) Complete the decolorization by digesting with Charcoal. (4) Pre- 
cipitate the Morphine with Ammonia and wash. (5 ) Dissolve in Hydro- 
chloric Acid and crystallize out. 

Characters. — White, feathery [needles of a silky lustre, or minute, 
cubical crystals, having a bitter taste. Solubility. — In 24 parts of water ; in 
62 of Alcohol.] 

Incompatibles. — Salts of Lead, Iron, Copper, Mercury and Zinc; Alka- 
line Carbonates; Lime Water; Liquor Potassii Arsenitis; all substances 
containing Tannin. 

Dose, y 8 to % gr. 

MORPHINE ACETAS.— Morphine Acetate. [C 17 H 19 N0 3 C 2 H i 2 
+ 3 H 2 0=398.i2.] 

Source. — Morphine is precipitated with Ammonia from a solution of the 
Hydrochlorate. It is dissolved in Acetic Acid and water, and the solution is 
evaporated. 

Characters. — A white, [or faintly yellowish- white, crystalline or amor- 
phous powder, having a faint, acetous odor, and a bitter taste. Solubility. — 
In 2.5 parts of water; in 47.6 parts of Alcohol.] Many specimens are not so 
soluble as this. 

Dose, }i to X gr. 

MORPHINE SULPHAS.— [Morphine Sulphate. (C 17 H 19 N0 3 ) 2 

H 2 S0 4 +5H 2 0=756.38- 

Source. — Morphine is dissolved in boiling distilled water; diluted 



OPIUM. 295 

Sulphuric Acid is added to neutralization, and on cooling the Sulphate appears 
in crystals. 

Characters. — White, feathery, acicular crystals of a silky lustre, and 
having a bitter taste. Solubility. — In 2 parts of water; sparingly in Alcohol. 

Dose, y s to X g f - 

Preparations. 

1. Pulvis Morphinae Compositus. — Compound Powder of 
Morphine. Synonym. — Tully's Powder. Morphine Sulphate, 1 ; 
Camphor, 19; Glycyrrhiza, 20; precipitated Calcium Carbonate, 20; 
Alcohol to 60. By trituration. 

Dose, 5 to 15 gr. 

2. Trochisci Morphinae et Ipecacuanhae. — Troches of Mor- 
phine and Ipecac. Morphine Sulphate, o. 16; Ipecac, 0.50; Sugar, 
65 ; Oil of Gaultheria, 0.2 ; Mucilage of Tragacanth, a sufficient quan- 
tity to make 100 troches. Strength. — About a\> grain of Morphine in 
each. 

Dose, 1 to 5 troches.] 

Action. 

The action and uses of opium are due almost entirely to its 
morphine, and therefore they may be studied together. 

External. — Opium probably has no action when applied to 
the unbroken skin, but it has been said to be slightly anodyne. 
It can be absorbed from and relieve the pain of raw surfaces. 

Internal.— Alimentary canal. — Opium diminishes all the 
secretions of the body except the sweat. The mouth conse- 
quently becomes dry, and the patient feels thirsty, but after a 
small dose, not markedly so. This effect is partly due to the 
direct action of the opium on the mouth, but to a less extent to 
its influence exerted after it has been absorbed. In the stomach 
and intestines, by the same double action, the secretiou of the 
gastric and intestinal juices is diminished. The drug also para- 
lyzes the peristaltic movements of the stomach and intestines. 
This is due to stimulation of the centre of the nerves (splanch- 
nics) which inhibit these movements. The result of the dimi- 
nution of secretion and peristalsis is that opium appeases hunger, 
often causes indigestion, almost always gives rise to constipa- 
tion, and if vomiting or diarrhoea is present it will prevent it. 



29O ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

These actions are also in part due to its general sedative influence 
on the nervous system. If pain exists in the abdomen or else- 
where, opium is a powerful anodyne. Most of it is absorbed, 
but rather slowly. 

Blood. — Morphine for the most part circulates in the blood as 
such, and is excreted by the kidneys, but a small part of it is 
destroyed in the liver. The fate of the other alkaloids is not 
known, nor are we aware of any direct action of any of the 
constituents of opium on the blood itself. 

Circulation. — In an ordinary healthy man small doses of 
opium do not affect the heart or vessels. Large doses first increase 
and then diminish the action of the heart, which finally stops in 
diastole. These effects can be produced by applying the drug to 
the organ, it therefore directly affects either the cardiac muscle 
or the nerves in it. But this local action is augmented by the 
less important influence of opium on the vagal centre; this is at 
first stimulated, and about the time at which the heart itself is 
depressed, so that both these actions make the pulse slow. 
Just before death the vagus is depressed, but the heart itself is by 
that time so feeble that the pulse is not quickened. Patients 
rarely die from the effect of opium on the heart and its nervous 
apparatus, this being much less important than the influence on 
respiration. 

The vaso-motor system is not affected till towards the end of 
the symptoms due to toxic doses ; then the vessels dilate from the 
action of the drug on the vaso-motor centres in the medulla and 
cord. 

Respiration. — Opium is a direct poison to the respiratory 
centre. Breathing therefore becomes difficult, and death takes 
place from asphyxia. 

Nervous system. — Brain. — The higher faculties are at first 
excited even by small doses. In a few persons there is no inco- 
ordination in this excitement. The intellectual power and men- 
tal vigor are increased, and therefore the drug is taken by some 
people to enable them to do their mental work. Usually, how- 
ever, the excitation does not affect the mind evenly; generally the 



OPIUM. 297 

imagination is powerfully and pleasantly excited, much more so 
than the faculties of reason and judgment, which are a little 
dulled. The expression on the face is one of happiness and 
comfort, and this corresponds with the condition of the mind, 
which is in a state of peace, calm and happiness. This is soon 
succeeded by sleep, which is accompanied by pleasant dreams, 
generally of an impossible nature. With some persons, however, 
the sleep is quite dreamless. This, which is the beginning of the 
depression of the highest centres, is soon followed by depression 
of the others, the higher being influenced before the lower, so 
that soon the sleeper does not respond to any sound, light, or 
cutaneous stimulation, nor does he feel pain. It is this last 
fact that makes the drug so invaluable. The dose requisite to 
annul pain depends, of course, upon the severity of it. If a large 
amount is given, often there is no primary excitement, and then 
the first symptom that opium has been taken is drowsiness. On 
waking from sleep induced by opium some persons feel quite well, 
but usually there is a little languor, headache, and nausea. Opium 
eaters take it for its stimulant effect. It is given medicinally as 
a hypnotic and anodyne. The pupil is contracted ; this is due 
to the effect of the drug on the pupillary centre in the floor of the 
aqueduct of Sylvius. In man, just as the stimulation of the in- 
tellectual centres is brief, so is that of the cerebral motor centres, 
— in fact, it is often difficult to detect any evidence of it. Their 
subsequent depression is never so marked as that of the intellec- 
tual faculties; for although there is languor and muscular weak- 
ness, and the patient always lies down, yet he can be walked 
about if he is supported. Vomiting is occasionally caused by 
transient irritation of the vomiting centre, but soon it is de- 
pressed, and therefore emetics do not act well in cases of opium 
poisoning. 

The motor cells of the spinal cord are at first slightly stimu- 
lated, and consequently reflex excitability is exaggerated ; but 
they are soon depressed, and it is difficult to obtain reflex 
movements. 

The excitability of motor and sensory nerves is, perhaps, a 
26 



298 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

little increased at first, but in the later stages of opium poisoning 
they are depressed, the sensory before the motor. The muscles 
remain irritable to the last. 

Opium, in its action on the nervous system, illustrates the 
common fact that functions at first stimulated by a drug are 
usually subsequently paralyzed by it; and it affords an excellent 
example of the law of dissolution, for higher functions, such as 
the intellectual and imaginative, are first affected ; motion is then 
disordered; next the pupillary centre, and then the medullary 
centres for respiration and cardiac action are implicated. The 
spinal cord is influenced to a less degree, the nerves very slightly, 
and the muscles not at all. 

In man the peculiarities of the action of morphine are its pre- 
dominating influence on the higher mental functions, and the 
slight affection of the motor and the vaso-motor centres, the cord, 
the nerves, and the muscles. In frogs morphine produces violent 
convulsions, because its predominating action is to stimulate the 
spinal cord. Birds are peculiarly insusceptible to morphine. 
Mammals are for the most part affected in the same way as 
man, sleep and death from asphyxia being the leading symptoms ; 
but in many of the lower mammals spinal symptoms are very 
marked. 

Kidneys. — Sometimes opium slightly increases, sometimes it 
slightly decreases, the urinary flow. 

Skin. — Opium is a mild diaphoretic. 

Metabolism. — Opium depresses the biliary function of the 
liver, for the person taking it secretes less bile. If he has glyco- 
suria, the amount of sugar he passes in the urine is diminished. 
General metabolism appears to be decreased also, for it is stated 
that the amounts of uric acid and carbon dioxide excreted are 
lessened, but some experimenters contradict this statement. 

Peculiarities. — There are few drugs which have such different 
effects upon different people. The above description states the 
manner in which most human beings are affected, but in some 
the stage of excitation is very evident, so that they become deli- 
rious and cannot sleep. In others, vomiting and indigestion are 



OPIUM. 299 

very marked. Some of these peculiarities are due, no doubt, to 
the varying composition of opium. Children are easily poisoned 
by it, and therefore only small doses should be administered to 
them ; women are more readily affected than men. Persons who 
take it habitually soon tolerate enormous quantities. It may pro- 
duce an erythematous eruption on the skin. 

Differences in action between opium and morphine. — (1) Mor- 
phine, being more readily absorbed, acts more quickly. It is 
especially suitable for subcutaneous injection ; given in this way 
it acts very rapidly. (2 ) Opium is more liable to upset the diges- 
tion and to cause constipation, but this last fact often makes it 
the more valuable in many abdominal diseases. (3) Opium is 
the better diaphoretic. (4) Morphine is more certain in its 
action as an anodyne and soporific ; possibly this is because of the 
other powerful alkaloids in opium. (5) Opium is stated to act 
more powerfully in reducing the amount of sugar present in the 
urine in glycosuria. 

Therapeutics. 

External. — Hot fomentations or poultices sprinkled with 
laudanum are often applied to painful parts, but probably it is the 
heat and not the opium which relieves the pain. Linimentum 
Opii [B. P., tincture of opium and soap liniment, equal parts], 
rubbed into the skin diminishes the pain of chronic rheumatism 
and myalgia ; probably in this case the friction is more efficacious 
than the opium. Locally applied to sores and ulcers, it may 
soothe the pain due to them. The ointment of nutgall and 
opium [B. P., powdered opium. 30 gr. to ounce of gall ointment] 
will often relieve the pain of piles and anal fissures, especially if a 
mild laxative is given by the mouth. 

Internal. — Stomach. — Morphine is of great service for the 
pain of gastric ulcer, cancer, or even for simple painful dyspepsia. 
A solution [of morphine (1 gr. to ounce of water ; dose, 1 fl. dr.)] 
is preferable to opium, as that may aggravate the indigestion. 
Morphine is frequently combined with preparations of bismuth, 
and taken immediately before or after meals. Many forms of 



300 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

vomiting are relieved by morphine, because it decreases pain, 
peristalsis, and excessive secretion. 

Intestines. — Opium is invaluable for stopping many varieties 
of diarrhoea. If they will yield to any treatment, opium is most 
likely to be successful. Intestinal colic, being due to irregular 
excessive peristaltic action, is generally relieved by opium, — and 
so, indeed, is abdominal pain of all sorts. In all inflammatory 
conditions of the peritoneum full doses of opium must be given, 
the object being so to paralyze the intestinal movements as to 
prevent the peritoneal surfaces rubbing against each other. It is 
the great mainstay in perityphlitis, acute peritonitis, and after 
operations or wounds in the abdomen. Opium is far preferable to 
morphine for abdominal cases; if they are severe, it must be 
boldly pushed, the patient being kept just drowsy, with slightly 
contracted pupils ; and it often Moes not matter if the bowels are 
not open for a month. [The more recent practice, however, is to 
keep the bowels slightly open by the use of the salines.] 

Heart. — Much skill is required to give opium properly in 
heart disease. The hypodermatic injection of morphine is, on 
the whole, to be preferred to opium. The great indication for it 
is when cardiac pain and distress keep the patient awake. Often 
it acts like a charm, a quiet refreshing sleep being the result of a 
single injection. No doubt it is a cardiac depressant, but we 
have to set against this the exhaustion of pain and insomnia. 
Still, if the patient is very ill, these two factors must be carefully 
balanced. [It is quite probable that in small doses administered 
hypodermatically morphine is a cardiac stimulant.] It likewise 
often relieves the pain of aneurism and intra-thoracic growths. 
Its depressant effect may be to some extent counterbalanced by 
combining belladonna with it. 

Vessels. — Opium is an excellent haemostatic. It is probably 
efficient after absorption, but its great value is in intestinal haem- 
orrhage, when it acts partly by stopping peristaltic movements. 
An excellent form in which to give it is the Pilula Plumbi cum 
Opio, [B. P., powdered opium and confection of roses, of each, 
i ; lead acetate, 6 parts; dose, 3 to 5 gr.] 



OPIUM. 301 

Respiration. — It will be remembered that opium depresses 
the respiratory centre ; therefore it, by diminishing the activity 
of the centre for the reflex act of coughing, will often alleviate 
the distressing symptom, but it is only justifiable to give it when 
the irritation which reflexly sets up a cough is irremovable, as in 
intra-thoracic growth or aneurism, or when there is little or no 
lividity and yet the cough is violent, as is often the case in pleu- 
risy. The liability to lividity and asphyxia in many diseases at- 
tended with cough must never be forgotten. Thus opium is quite 
inadmissible in the last stages of bronchitis and pneumonia, and, 
as a rule, in even the earlier stages of these diseases other means 
of relieving the cough should be tried first ; and if opium is 
given, it must be administered with great caution and judgment. 
A " linctus opiatus," a favorite remedy, is often given at night 
when a cough keeps the patient awake. It may consist of tinc- 
ture of opium, 2 YTL » dilute sulphuric acid, 2 TTL; treacle, 30 YTL > 
water to 5J- The object of the treacle is to soothe the pharynx 
locally. Opium must also be given cautiously for asthma, as there 
is in this disease a great liability to the growth of a permanent 
opium habit. 

Nervous system. — Brain. — It is in its action on this organ 
that the marvellous value of opium is seen, its great function be- 
ing to relieve pain and to produce sleep when that is prevented 
by pain. For these purposes it is best given hypodermatically as 
morphine, for that acts more quickly, more certainly, and is less 
liable to produce indigestion and excitement than opium. It 
would be a long list to give all the diseases the pain of which 
can be relieved by morphine ; cancer and fractures are typical 
instances. Morphine is very valuable for the insomnia of acute 
diseases ; but it should never be prescribed for habitual sleepless- 
ness, for fear the patient should contract the habit of opium tak- 
ing — unless the disease causing the insomnia is incurable, when 
the use of opium is quite justifiable. It should not be given in 
.gout, for that is often accompanied by granular kidneys ; nor for 
hysteria, for often it does not relieve hysterical pains, and an 
opium habit may be formed. It is especially useful in renal and 



302 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

biliary colic, and for the after-pains of a confinement. In these 
cases it relieves the pain partly from its power as an anodyne, 
and also because by its paralyzing effect on unstriped muscle it 
relaxes the muscular contraction. This property also makes it 
valuable in some cases of spasmodic stricture of the urethra. It 
may be given as a sedative in delirum tremens and some forms 
of mania, but often such large doses are required that its use is 
not justifiable. Patients suffering great pain can take enormous 
doses without any symptoms of poisoning. 

Spinal cord. — It has been used for pains of locomotor ataxia 
and occasionally in convulsive diseases, but without much success. 

Kidneys. — It should always be remembered that morphine is 
excreted with difficulty, if the kidneys are diseased. There are 
several cases recorded in which persons suffering from Bright 's 
disease have been killed by quite small doses of opium. 

Skin. — Combined with ipecacuanha [as in] Dover's powder, 
opium is commonly given as a mild diaphoretic, in cases of slight 
inflammatory disorder, such as a common cold. 

Metabolism. — Opium is administered to persons suffering from 
diabetes, and the amount of sugar in the urine certainly dimin- 
ishes and the patient's general health improves, [but, however, 
codeine is preferable]. Opium can, in the opinion of many, con- 
trol all varieties of inflammation, therefore it is given for a cold 
in the head, for cystitis, pleurisy, etc. Occasionally persons 
taking opium suffer from retention of urine. We have indicated 
the occasions on which opium and morphine are respectively 
preferable. 

Toxicology. 

Acute poisoning. — There may be slight preliminary excitability; but soon 
drowsiness sets in. This is followed by incapacity for exertion, sleep, and 
finally deep coma. The pupils are minutely contracted. At first the patient 
can be roused; but soon no stimulation will do this. Reflex action is abol- 
ished. The skin is cold, the face and lips are livid, and towards the end 
bathed in sweat. The pulse is weak and slow. The respiration becomes 
slower and more irregular; at last it is stertorous, and the patient dies from 
asphyxia. 

Diagnosis of posioning hy Opium. — I. From Alcoholic poisoning. — Often 



OPIUM. 3O3 

very difficult, especially if, as commonly happens, the man poisoned with 
Opium has taken Alcohol or had it given to him. The pupils are more con- 
tracted in Opium poisoning. The patient is more easily roused in Alcohol 
poisoning. Examine the urine for Morphine and Alcohol. Get a careful his- 
tory. 2. From cerebral hemorrhage. — If this is in the pons Varolii, the pupils 
may be very contracted and the diagnosis difficult, but look carefully for local 
paralysis. Usually cerebral haemorrhage takes place into the internal capsule* 
and then the face and the limbs on one side are paralyzed. If the haemorrhage 
is a small one, and especially if it is in the pons, the temperature may be raised ; 
if it is a very large one, the temperature falls for the first few hours, but may 
rise subsequently. If the pupils are unequal, the case is one of cerebral haem- 
orrhage., 3. From Carbolic Acid poisoning, in which there may be coma and 
contracted pupils. The acid produces white patches in the mouth, and the 
odor is characteristic. 4. From Chloroform and Ether poisoning, by the odor 
of the breath and of the vomited matters. 5. From urcemia, by the signs of 
Bright's disease, especially albuminuria. 6. From diabetic coma, by the smdl 
of the breath and the glycosuria. 7. From the comatose stage of an epileptic 
fit, by the history, the dilatation of the pupils, and the fact that the lividity 
does not deepen. 8. From the same stage of a fit in general paralysis of the 
insane and other nervous diseases, by the same symptoms. 

Post-mortem. — The appearances after death from Opium poisoning are 
those always found after fatal asphyxia. 

Treatment. — Wash out the stomach. Give prompt emetics [see p. 80), as 
apomorphine subcutaneously. Always rouse the patient by walking him about, 
flapping him with a towel, pinching him, applying the faradic current, and 
putting ammonia to the nose ; a pint of strong coffee should be injected into 
the rectum, -h gr. of Atropine Sulphate given subcutaneously, or 30 Xf[. of Tinc- 
ture of Belladonna by the mouth, repeated every quarter of an hour. If the 
breathing is very difficult, artificial respiration should be employed. Amyl 
Nitrite inhalations may be used. The treatment must be kept up for several 
hours if necessary. 

Antagonism. 

Atropine. — Atropine (Alkaloid of Belladonna) is a valuable antidote to 
Morphine, because it powerfully stimulates the respiratory centre. It also 
stimulates the cerebral convolutions and intestinal peristalsis, both depressed 
by Morphine. It appears to be antagonistic to Opium in other particulars, but 
is not really so. Thus, although it prevents perspiration and dilates the pupil, 
these effects are due to action on the peripheral nerve terminations, while 
Morphine produces contrary results by acting on the central nervous system. 
Still it has been found that some of the undesirable effects that may follow 
the subcutaneous injection of Morphine, such as indigestion, constipation and 
cardiac depression, may be avoided if yb to tto gr. of Atropine Sulphate is 
injected at the same time. 



304 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

CODEINA. — Codeine. An alkaloid obtained from Opium. [C 18 H 21 
N0 3 +H 2 0= 3 i6. 3 i. 

Source — Obtained by evaporating the ammoniacal liquids, remaining 
after the precipitation of Morphine by Ammonia in the preparation of the 
Hydrochlorate, treating the residue with water, precipitation with Caustic Pot- 
ash, and purifying by dissolving in hot Ether and letting the Codeine crystal- 
lize out on spontaneous evaporation. 

Characters. — White, or nearly translucent, [orthorhombic prisms, or 
octahedral crystals, having a faintly bitter taste, and slightly efflorescent in 
warm air. Solubility. — In 80 parts of water; in 3] of Alcohol. 

Dose, ■( to2 gr. 

Action and Therapeutics. 

It may produce tremors because it excites the cord more, and 
depresses the higher faculties less, than morphine. It is used to 
diminish the glycosuria in diabetes, [and as an analgesic. It is an 
excellent substitute for morphine as an ingredient of cough mix- 
ture. It is usually given as a pill, or in a syrupy solution.] 

APOMORPHIN/E HYDROCHLORAS.- Apomorphine Hydro- 
chlorate. C 17 H 17 N0 2 HC1 [=302.79.] 

Source. — It is the hydrochlorate of an Alkaloid obtained by heating 
Morphine in sealed tubes with an excess of Hydrochloric Acid. The Mor- 
phine loses one molecule of water thus: C 17 H 19 N0 3 =C 17 H 17 N0 2 -|-H 2 0. 

Characters. — [Minute, grayish-white, shining, acicular crystals, having a 
faintly bitter taste, and acquiring a greenish tint on exposure to light and air. 
Solubility. — In 45 parts of water; in about 45 parts of Alcohol.] 

Dose, 2V to e gr. hypodermatically, -h to iV gr. by the mouth. 

Action. 

External. — None. 

Internal. — Gastro-intestinal tract. — Apomorphine is the 
most powerful emetic we possess. It does not act locally on the 
stomach, but solely on the vomiting centre in the medulla. It 
is therefore an indirect emetic. This is shown by the fact that 
when the drug is injected subcutaneously it produces violent vom- 
iting if the vessels are so tied that none can reach the stomach, 
but not if they are so tied that it cannot reach the medulla. 

Circulation. — Therapeutic doses have no effect beyond the 
depressing action which may be attributed to the vomiting. 



APOMORPHINE HYDROCHLORATE. 305 

Large doses cause a rise in the rate of the pulse, probably from 
stimulation of the accelerator nerves, and with fatal doses the 
pulse-rate falls, because the drug directly paralyzes the cardiac 
muscle. 

Respiration. — This is at first stimulated by the act of vomit- 
ing. The effect of poisonous doses is doubtful; probably they 
depress respiration. [The physiological experiments show that it 
produces a watery discharge from the blood-vessels of the respira- 
tory mucous membrane, which is found to be paler after the 
administration of this remedy, as well as less cedematous. This 
effect is produced within a half hour after ingestion, and it is not 
in any respect the first stage of emesis.] 

Nervous system. — The first result of toxic doses is to cause 
delirium. Finally there is paralysis of the motor nerves, and 
consequently of the muscles. 

Therapeutics. 

Vomiting action. — The advantages of apomorphine over the 
other emetics are that it is certain, prompt, and powerful; it can 
be given when emetics introduced directly into the stomach 
would not act, and it does not irritate the stomach. It is largely 
used in cases of poisoning. It is usually given hypodermatically, 
[1 gr. being dissolved in 50 tTt of camphor water; Dose, 4 to 8 
TTL- This must be prepared extemporanously, as it will not keep.] 

Expectorant action. — It is, when given by the mouth, a valu- 
able expectorant for bronchitis. [In an adult -^ gr. will produce 
a watery expectoration within the time stated, and this effect will 
last from two to three hours. It is particularly useful in the early 
stages of acute bronchitis, in chronic dry bronchitis, in chronic 
catarrhal pneumonia, and in old tuberculous patients who are 
harassed by an unproductive cough.] 

HUMULUS. 

HOPS. — The strobiles of ffumulus Lupulus Linne (nat. ord. Urticacece). 
[Habitat. — Northern temperate zone ; cultivated.] 

Characters. — [Ovate, about 3 cm. long, consisting of a thin, hairy, 
undulated axis, and many obliquely ovate, membranous scales, in the upper 



306 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

part reticulately-veined, and towards the base parallel-veined, glandular, 
and surrounding a subglobular achene ; color of the scales greenish, free from 
reddish or brownish spots ; odor, aromatic ; taste, bitter, aromatic and slightly 
astringent.] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — ( i ) Lupuline, [formerly 
called Choline, a strongly alkaline liquid.] (2) Lupidinic Acid, 11 per cent., 
a bitter crystalline principle. (3) Valerol, I per cent., an aromatic volatile oil 
giving the odor. (4) Resin, 9 to 18 per cent. (5) Tannin, 3 to 4 per cent. 

Incompatibles. — Mineral Acids, Metallic Salts. 

Preparation. 
Tinctura Humuli. —[Tincture of Hops. Hops 200 ; by macer- 
ation and percolation with diluted Alcohol to 1 000. 
Dose, 1 to 2 fl. dr.] 

[Action and Uses. 

Hops are tonic and slightly narcotic, as well as probably 
diuretic. They have been used in dyspepsia, nervous tremors, 
wakefulness and in the delirium of drunkards. ] 

LUPULINUM. — Lupulin. A glandular powder, separated from the 
strobiles of Humulus Lupulus Linne (nat. ord. Urticacece). 

[Characters — Bright, brownish-yellow, becoming yellowish-brown, 
resinous, consisting of minute granules, which, as seen under- the microscope, 
are subglobular, or rather hood-shaped, and reticulate; aromatic and bitter.] 

Dose, 5 to 30 gr. 

Preparations. 

1. [Extractum Lupulini Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Lupulin. 
Lupulin, 1000 ; by maceration and percolation with Alcohol, evapora- 
tion and solution to 1000 parts. 

Dose, 5 to 30 m. 

2. Oleoresina Lupulini. — Oleoresin of Lupulin. Lupulin, 100 ; 
by percolation with Ether and evaporation. 

Dose, 1 to 5 gr.] 

Action. 

The volatile oil in hops is stomachic and carminative 
like other volatile oils. To a slight extent it reflexly excites the 
circulation. The bitter principle aids the stomachic influence. 
Hops are decidedly soporific. Probably it is the volatile oil 
that produces this effect. 




LACTUCARIUM. 307 

Therapeutics. 

The pharmacopceial preparations of hops are not much used, 

but good beer, because of the hops contained in it, may with 

some persons aid digestion, and for this purpose is often given 

with meals to those whose digestion is feeble after a long illness, 

or from any other cause. The alcohol in the beer increases this 

effect. Many people find the soporific influence of beer very 

well marked. 

LACTUCARIUM. 

[LACTUCARIUM. — The concrete milk-juice of Lactuca virosa 
Linne (nat. ord. Composites). Habitat. — Southern and Central Europe. 

Characters. — In sections of plano-convex, circular cakes, or in irregu- 
lar, angular pieces, externally grayish-brown or dull reddish-brown, internally 
whitish or yellowish, of a waxy lustre; odor heavy, somewhat narcotic; taste 
bitter. 

Composition. — The chief constituents of Lactucarium are — (1) Lactu- 
con, about 50 per cent., a crystalline principle. (2) Lactucin, C 11 H 12 3 +H 2 
resembling mannit. (3) Lactucic Acid. 

Dose, 5 to 60 gr.] 

Preparations. 

[1. Tinctura Lactucarii. — Tincture of Lactucarium. Lactu- 
carium, 500 ; Glycerin, 250 ; by treatment with Benzin and drying, 
macerate and percolate with water, and Alcohol ; evaporate, filter and 
add diluted Alcohol to 1 000. 

Dose, % to 2 fl. dr. 

2. Syrupus Lactucarii. — Syrup of Lactucarium. Tincture of 
Lactucarium, 100; Sugar, 50; Precipitated Calcium Phosphate, 50; 
triturated together with water, filter, dissolve Sugar, 700; and add 
water to 1000. 

Dose, 1 to 4 fl. dr.] 

Action and Therapeutics. 
[Lactucarium has been credited with mild hypnotic powers. 
Large doses of the extract (B. P.) may cause mental derange- 
ment, and will dilate the pupil.] 

BELLADONNA. 

BELLADONNA FOLIA.— Belladonna Leaves. [The leaves of 

Atrapa Belladonna Linne (nat. ord. Solanacece). Synonym. — Deadly night- 
shade. Habitat. — Europe and Asia Minor. 



308 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Characters. — Leaves from 10 to 15 cm. long, from 5 to 10 cm. broad, 
broadly ovate, equilaterally narrowed into a petiole, tapering at the apex, 
entire on the margin, smooth, thin, the upper surface brownish-green, the 
lower surface grayish -;re en, both surfaces whitish punctate; odor slight; 
bitterish, disagreeable.] Resembling Belladonna leaves. — Stramonium leaves, 
more wrinkled ; hyoscyamus leaves, hairy. 

Composition — The chief constituents are — (1) Atropine (a. v.), [(2) 
Belladonine, a yellow powder is probably oxyatr >pine C 17 H 23 N0 4 . Probably 
it is identical with hyoscy amine (q. v.)\ and daturine (q. v.), is a mixture of 
these, and they exist as malates in the plant.] Recently it has been stated that 
atropine does not exist in Belladonna in the natural state, but that it is a con- 
version product of hyoscyamine, which is the natural alkaloid of Belladonna. 

Dose, 1 to 5 gr. 

Preparations. 

1. Extractum Belladonnse [Foliorum Alcoholicum. — Alco- 
holic Extract of Belladonna Leaves. By percolation with Alcohol and 
water, and evaporation. 

Dose, y s to y 2 gr. 

It is used to make Emplastrum Belladonnae and Unguentum 
Belladonnse. 

2. Tinctura Belladonnae Foliorum. — Tinctura of Belladonna 
Leaves. Belladonna leaves, 150; diluted Alcohol, to 1000. By macer- 
ation and percolation. 

Dose, 5 to 30 m. 

3. Unguentum Belladonnae. — Belladonna Ointment. Alcoholic 
extract of Belladonna leaves, 10 ; diluted alcohol, 5 ; benzoinated lard, 85. 

4. Emplastrum Belladonnae. — Belladonna Plaster. Alcoholic 
extract of Belladonna leaves, 200; resin plaster, 400; soap plaster, 400. 
Melt the plasters on a water-bath ; then add the extract of belladonna 
leaves and continue the heat, stirring constantly, until a homogeneous 
mass results.] 

BELLADONNA RADIX.— Belladonna Root. The root of Atropa 
Belladonna [Linne (nat. ord. Solanacece.) Habitat. — Central and Southern 
Europe, in woods. 

Characters. — In cylindrical, somewhat tapering, longitudinally wrinkled 
pieces, 10 to 25 mm. or more in thickness; externally brownish- gray, inter- 
nally whitish ; fracture nearly smooth and mealy, not radiating or showing 
medullary rays in the thicker roots, only in the layer near the bark ; nearly 
inodorous; taste sweetish, afterwards bitterish and strongly acrid.] 

Composition. — As of the leaves. Usually contains 0.2 to 0.6 per cent, 
of atropine. 



BELLADONNA. 3O9 

Preparations. 

1. Extractum Belladonnae [Radicis Fluidum. — Fluid Extract 
of Belladonna Root. By percolation with alcohol and water, and 
evaporation 

Dose, 1 to 3 m. 

2. Linimentum Belladonnae. — Belladonna Liniment. Fluid 
extract of Belladonna root, 950; camphor, 50.] 

ATROPIN A.— Atropine. C n H 23 N0 3 [=288.38. {Synonym.— Atropia.) 
An Alkaloid obtained from Belladonna. As it occurs in commerce, it is 
always accompanied by a small proportion of hyoscyamine extracted along 
with it, from which it cannot be readily separated.] 

Source. — The [B. P.] directs it to be made from the root thus: — (1) 
Make a tincture of the root by maceration and percolation with Alcohol. (2) 
Add slaked lime; this splits up the Atropine Malate, Lime Malate being pre- 
cipitated. (3) Filter, and add Sulphuric Acid to precipitate the excess of 
Lime. (4) Filter, concentrate by distillation, partially evaporate, add Potassium 
Carbonate; after six hours much coloring matter is precipitated. (5) Filter, 
add more Potassium Carbonate ; this sets free the Atropine. (6) Shake up 
with Chloroform, which takes up the Atropine in solution. (7) Withdraw 
the Chloroform, evaporate, and Atropine is left. It is purified by digestion 
with warm Alcohol and animal Charcoal. 

Characters. — [White, acicular crystals, or a more or less amorphous, 
white powder, without odor, having a bitter, acrid taste, and gradually assum- 
ing a yellowish tint on exposure to air. Solubility. — In 130 parts of water, 3 
parts of Alcohol, 16 parts of Ether, 4 parts of Chloroform, and about 50 parts 
of Glycerin.] It can be decomposed into Tropine and Tropic Acid, and recon- 
structed by their synthesis. 

Incompatibles. — Caustic Alkalies decompose it. 

Dose, T i„ to J,, gr. 

ATROPINE SULPHAS.— Atropine Sulphate. [(C 17 H 23 N0 3 ) 2 H 2 
S0 4 = 674.58. 

Source. — Dissolve Atropine in dilute Sulphuric Acid, treat with Ether, 
the insoluble Sulphate is deposited. ' « 

Characters. — A white, indistinctly crystalline powder, having a very 
bitter nauseating taste. Solubility. — In 0.4 part of water; in 6.2 parts of 
Alcohol.] 

Dose, jh to 2 V gr. 

Action. 
The action of belladonna and atropine is the same. 
External. — A tropine placed by itself upon the unbroken 



310 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

skin cannot be absorbed, but rubbed in with substances which 
are absorbed, such as alcohol, glycerin, camphor, etc., applied 
to a broken surface, it paralyzes the terminations of the sensory 
nerves, especially if pain is present. It is thus a local anaes- 
thetic and an anodyne. These are its chief actions, but to a 
much less extent it locally paralyzes the terminations of the motor 
nerves, first contracts and then dilates the vessels, and renders 
the secretions of the skin less active. 

Internal. — Gastro-intesiinal tract. — It will be convenient to 
describe the effects of belladonna on all secretions when speaking 
of its action on nerves, and we need not mention here its influence 
on the muscular coat of the intestine, for that is secondary to its 
action on the nervous system. 

Blood. — Atropine is quickly absorbed, but does not affect the 
blood. Its main action is on the nervous system, and that must 
be considered in detail. 

Secretory nerves. — The activity of the peripheral termina- 
tions of all the secretory nerves in the body is, as far as 
we know, depressed. These nerves fall under the following 
headings : 

(a) Mouth. — Even small doses of atropine make the mouth 
dry from lack of saliva and mucus. In health, secretion of sub- 
maxillary saliva always follows stimulation of the chorda tympani 
nerve, and, as is well known, this is due to the fact that this 
nerve is the secretory nerve for this gland, and not to any vas- 
cular dilatation. If atropine be given to an animal, stimulation 
of the chorda no longer causes an increased flow of saliva, how- 
ever close to the gland the nerve is excited, the reason being that 
atropine has paralyzed the terminations of the chorda tympani. 
In the same way the terminations of the secretory nerves of the 
other salivary glands and the mucous glands are paralyzed, and 
hence the mouth is dry, because normal impulses cannot reach 
the cells of the glands. 

Stomach, liver, and intestines. — We do not know what influ- 
ence atropine has on the secretions of these organs. 

Sweat glands. — Atropine paralyzes the terminations of the 



BELLADONNA. 3 I I 

nerves in the sudoriparous glands. Thus it causes the skin to 
become dry. 

Kidneys. — The effect of atropine on the amount of urine 
secreted is necessarily uncertain, as the urinary flow depends so 
much on the secretion of sweat. 

Bronchial ?nucous ?nembrane. — The secretion of bronchial 
and tracheal mucus, like that of the mouth, is diminished. 

Mammary gland. — The activity of the peripheral terminations 
of the secretory nerves in the cells of the mammary gland is inhib- 
ited, hence the flow of milk, if any is present, is arrested, and 
belladonna is called an antigalactogogue. 

Sensory nerves. — It has already been mentioned that bella- 
donna rubbed into the skin depresses the function of the termi- 
nations of the sensory nerves. It does the same when given by 
the mouth, but its action on sensory nerves — that is to say, its 
anaesthetic and anodyne action — is very inferior to that on the 
secretory nerves, and is not powerful enough for atropine to 
relieve pain when given internally. It is only used as a local 
anodyne. 

Voluntary muscles and their nerves. — Voluntary muscles are 
quite unaffected even by toxic doses of atropine ; towards the end 
of a case of belladonna poisoning the motor nerves are slightly 
paralyzed 

Involuntary muscles and their nerves. — The splanchnics are 
the inhibitory nerves of the intestinal movements, and if they are 
stimulated the peristaltic movements stop; impulses are constantly 
descending these nerves to restrain these movements. If atropine 
in small doses is given to animals it is observed that the bowels 
are relaxed, because intestinal peristalsis is much increased, 
and that stimulation of the splanchnics is powerless to arrest it ; 
clearly the drug has paralyzed the terminations of the splanchnics 
in the involuntary mucles of the intestine. Some have found 
that very minute doses stop the peristaltic movements, others that 
.large doses have this effect. Whether these results are due to 
stimulation of the terminations of the splanchnics is not known, 
nor is it easy to explain the discrepancies of the dose. In man 



312 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

it is most likely that moderate doses restrain excessive peristaltic 
action. 

Probably the nerve terminations in the muscles of the bladder, 
urethra, vesiculae seminales, uterus and vagina are affected in the 
same way as those in the intestinal muscles, but this is not yet 
decided. 

The eye and its nerves. — Atropine acts only on the termina- 
tions of the nerves in the involuntary muscles of the eye. If it 
be dropped into the eye or given by the mouth the pupil dilates 
widely, and cannot be made to contract by stimulation of the 
third nerve. That this dilatation is not due to any action on the 
muscular fibres of the iris themselves is shown by the fact that the 
atropinized pupil will contract if the muscle itself be stimulated. 
Therefore it must be that the terminations of the third nerve 
in the iris are paralyzed. The ending of this nerve in the 
ciliary muscle is affected in the same way, and consequently 
accommodation is paralyzed. It is certain that this mydri- 
asis and defective accommodation is in no part central, as is the 
contraction of the pupil produced by opium. So strong is the 
local action of belladonna, that if atropine be dropped into the 
recently excised eye the pupil will dilate. When the third nerve 
is cut the pupil dilates, and if after this atropine be dropped into 
the eye it dilates still further. Some have concluded, from this 
and other reasons, that atropine also stimulates the terminations 
of the sympathetic in the iris; but the reasoning is inconclusive, 
and it is not at present proved that atropine can do this. The 
intra-ocular tension is increased by large doses. There is, as a 
result of the paralysis of the ciliary muscle, disturbance of vision. 
Atropine does not act on the pupils of birds. 

The heart and its nerves. — The main action of atropine is to 
paralyze the terminations of the vagus in the heart, and 
consequently the pulse is rendered more rapid, and cannot 
be slowed by strongly stimulating the vagus. If the rate of the 
heart has been lowered by muscarin[e], which can be shown to have 
a local stimulating influence on the terminations of the vagus in 
the heart, the application of atropine renders the heart quick 



BELLADONNA. 3 [ 3 

again, the two drugs being, in their effect on the heart, exactly 
antagonistic. This quickening of the pulse from inhibition of the 
vagal cardiac terminal filaments is the chief action of atropine on 
the heart, but the following minor actions must be noticed. The 
vagus centre and the trunk of the nerve are also depressed, but 
to a much less extent. Before the pulse is quickened it is occa- 
sionally slowed for a short time by atropine ; this is probably 
owing to a brief excitation of the vagus centre, the vagus nerve, 
and its peripheral cardiac terminations. Some authorities believe 
that part of the quickening of the pulse is due to a slight stimula- 
tion of the cardiac accelerator nerves, just as we have seen that 
some consider that the sympathetic fibres in the iris are excited ; 
but if the accelerator nerves are stimulated, the stimulation is 
quite subsidiary to the important paralysis of the vaginal termi- 
nations. Although the pulse is quickened by belladonna, its 
force is not diminished. Toxic doses abolish the function of 
the cardiac muscle, and the heart stops in diastole. 

Vaso-motor system audits nerves. — After a considerable dose 
of belladonna the skin is flushed, and a scarlatiniform erythe- 
matous rash may be present in belladonna poisoning. It is thus 
obvious that such a dose of belladonna relaxes the peripheral 
vessels. The exact cause of this has not definitely been made 
out, but it is extremely probable that it is largely a peripheral 
action, quite harmonizing with the peripheral action we have 
seen atropine to have on the involuntary muscles of the intestines, 
eye and heart ; that is to say, the vaso-constrictor nerve-filaments 
supplying the arterioles are paralyzed, and consequently the ves- 
sels dilate. The action of atropine on the medullary vaso-motor 
centre is more marked than that on the cardiac medullary cen- 
ter; but it is the same, — the centre first being stimulated, and 
then depressed. The primary stimulation is sufficient to over- 
come the tendency of the peripheral vessels to dilate, so that bel- 
ladonna at first contracts them ; and as this stage of contraction 
lasts well into the period during which, owing to paralysis of the 
vagal terminations, the heart is accelerated, the blood-pressure 
rises considerably : subsequently it falls, the fall being due 
27 



3 H ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

to the depression of the vaso-motor centre and the peripheral 
action of belladonna on the vessels, causing their wide dilata- 
tion. Ultimately, when the heart itself is paralyzed, the blood- 
pressure is very low. The spinal vaso-motor centres are acted on 
as powerfully and in the same way as the medullary centre. 

Respiration and its nerves. — Here also belladonna paralyzes 
peripheral nerve-filaments, in this case those of the vagus 
in the bronchial tubes. Both the afferent and efferent pulmo- 
nary vagal fibres are affected. The result is that the muscular 
coat of the bronchial tubes is relaxed, and that the secretions 
(the activity of the afferent fibres being depressed) do not irri- 
tate the nerves so much as before, and therefore cough is lessened. 
It will be remembered that the quantity of bronchial secretion is 
diminished. The medullary and spinal respiratory centres are 
influenced precisely as the vaso-motor, — that is to say, they are 
first stimulated, and so the respirations are quicker and deeper, 
then large doses paralyze them, and the breathing is slow and 
shallow. The patient becomes asphyxiated, and this contributes 
to the result in a fatal case. 

Temperature. — This is decidedly raised by toxic doses of 
belladonna (it may be four degrees or more). This rise is inde- 
pendent of the blood-pressure and of the diminution of perspira- 
tion. It is said that heat-production is greatly exaggerated. 
The heat-loss is also increased, probably because the flushing of 
the skin leads to a greater loss by radiation. 

Spinal cord. — Except for the action on the vaso-motor and 
respiratory spinal centres, belladonna has little influence on the 
spinal cord in man, but it has a well-marked tetanizing effect in 
frogs. It is said slightly to increase and afterwards diminish 
general reflex excitability. 

Cerebrum. — A considerable dose of belladonna causes delir- 
ium, showing that the higher centres are stimulated. Gener- 
ally the stimulation takes place inco-ordinately. That it is 
powerful is indicated by the fact that in poisoning by belladonna 
the delirium will last for a long while. The subsequent quietude 
is not more than the exhaustion of the cerebrum from the con- 



BELLADONNA. 3 I 5 

tinued delirium will explain. Belladonna rarely, if ever, pro- 
duces genuine coma. Other symptoms that may be observed with 
large doses, and which are probably due to disorder of the brain, 
are staggering gait, giddiness, and occasionally convulsions. 

Elimination. — Atropine is probably eliminated entirely by 
the kidneys. 

It will be seen that the dominant action of belladonna is 
to depress the activity of the terminations of nearly all varie- 
ties of nerves. In addition, it first stimulates and then 
depresses the three great medullary centres, and it is a 
deliriant. A summary of its effects on man will be given under 
the heading of Toxicology. 

Children can take considerable doses of belladonna without 
any symptoms of poisoning. Pigeons and rodents are peculiarly 
insusceptible to it. 

Therapeutics. 

Externally. — Belladonna is used externally to relieve all 
sorts of pain, — for example, that of neuralgia, pleurodynia, and 
chronic osteo-arthritis. The liniment is excellent for these pur- 
poses. A glycerin preparation (made by rubbing [the alcoholic] 
extract of belladonna i oz. with boiling water 2 fl. dr., and then 
adding gradually glycerin 3 *fl. oz.), soothes the pain of acute 
inflammations. This, or the plaster, or the ointment, is very 
efficacious in preventing the secretion of milk in women who do 
not for any reason nurse their infants. Pruritus and local sweating 
of various parts of the body, especially the feet, may sometimes 
be stopped by the application of belladonna. A solution of 
atropine sulphate 4 gr., camphor water ^ j, will dilate the pupil 
for ophthalmoscopic examination. Atropine is often used in 
ophthalmic practice to paralyze the movements of the iris and 
ciliary muscles, to break down adhesions, and to prevent the 
formation of contractions of the iris. See also Homatropine 
[Hydrobromate.] 

Internal. — Alimentary canal. - Belladonna has occasionally 
been employed to check salivation, and some use it to overcome 
constipation and colic. The extract is then given, and is com- 



3 l6 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

monly combined with some purgative in a pill. [The alcoholic] 
extract of belladonna is often administered with opium in the form 
of a pill to patients suffering with typhlitis or peritonitis ; as it is 
given several times a day a large amount is taken, and this, as 
already explained, probably paralyzes intestinal movements, and 
so aids the opium. 

Skin. — Atropine sulphate (y^ gr.) injected subcutaneously, 
or one or two minims of the solution of Atropine Sulphate [i, 
camphor water, ioo.], by the mouth will sometimes arrest sweat- 
ing, and this treatment may succeed with the night sweats of 
phthisis. 

Circulation. — There are many cases of heart disease in which 
belladonna may advantageously be combined with other drugs. 
Whenever we wish to empty the ventricle completely it is useful, 
for it will be remembered that it increases the rapidity of the 
heart without diminishing the force. But its greatest value is to 
remove cardiac pain and distress, which it often does most effec- 
tually. It may be conveniently applied as a plaster over the car- 
diac region, or it may be given internally, usually as the tinc- 
ture [of the leaves]. 

Respiration. — As belladonna relaxes the muscular coat of the 
bronchial tubes, it is of great value in spasmodic affections of the 
respiratory passages. Thus, of all the numerous drugs that have 
been given for whooping-cough, it is the best. It is also very 
useful [to relieve the symptoms of] asthma, and in bronchitis with 
asthma-like paroxysms ; in the last-named [condition] its powerful 
stimulation of the respiratory centre and its capability of dimin- 
ishing the secretion will, in properly chosen cases, render it par- 
ticularly valuable. It is generally given as a tincture [of the 
leaves], and combined with other drugs. 

Geni to -urinary diseases. — Belladonna is one of the favorite 
remedies for the nocturnal incontinence of children, and it occa- 
sionally overcomes this trouble in adults when it is not due to 
organic diseases. Its power of relieving the spasm of involuntary 
muscle is well shown in the effectual manner in which the very 
painful vesical spasm which accomplishes calculus, cystitis, and 



STRAMONIUM. 317 

prostatitis may be benefited by it. It may be given internally 

as in the form of a suppository, or applied as a plaster to the 

perinaeum. 

It has been tried in many nervous diseases, but without any 

good results. 

Toxicology. 

If a person takes a moderate dose of Belladonna he soon experiences dry- 
ness of the mouth and throat, and as the food, therefore, cannot be properly 
lubricated, there is difficulty of swallowing; the pulse may at first be a little 
slower than usual. The pupil is dilated; accommodation is defective, and 
vision confused. The skin feels dry. If the dose has been a large one, these 
symptoms all come on quickly; the conjunctivae and face, and perhaps other 
parts of the skin are flushed, and the rate of the pulse is greatly increased, it 
may even be doubled. The patient staggers, feels giddy, and reels when he 
walks ; the throat soon becomes very hot, the skin still more flushed, the eye- 
lids swell, and there may be a uniform erythematous rash. The temperature 
is often raised, the respirations are slow and deep. The pupils are very widely 
dilated. By this time the patient is quite delirious. There may be purging, 
but this is not common ; and sometimes he complains of a frequent desire to 
micturate, although he is unable to pass any urine. Death takes place from 
cardiac failure combined with asphyxia. Post-mortem. — The organs are all 
in a state of venous congestion, which is due to the asphyxia. If recovery 
takes place the patient may have no recollection of his illness. 

Treatment. — Give emetics (see p. 79) or wash out the stomach. Inject 
Pilocarpine and stimulants subcutaneously. Employ artificial respiration. 

Antagonism. 

The antagonism between atropine and morphine has already been dis- 
cussed {see p. 303). It is clear that as pilocarpine stimulates the terminations 
of the secretory nerves in the salivary and sweat glands, and also excites the 
terminations of the third nerve in the iris and ciliary muscle, it is a diaphoretic, 
a sialogogue, and a myotic, and is in these respects antagonistic to Atropine. 
Physostigmine also causes contraction of the pupil and spasm of the ciliary 
muscle by stimulation of the terminations of the third nerve, and it depresses 
the respiratory centre almost from the beginning. In these points it is an 
antagonist to Atropine. 

STRAMONIUM. 

STRAMONII SEMEN.— Stramonium Seed. [Synonym.— Thorn- 
apple seed. The seed of Datura Stramonium Linne (nat. ord. Solanacecz) . 
Habitat. — Asia ; naturalized in most countries. 

Characters. — About 4 mm. long, reniform, flattened, pitted, and wrinkled ; 



318 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

testa dull, brownish-black, hard, inclosing a cylindrical, curved embryo, im- 
bedded in a whitish, oily perisperm; of an unpleasant odor when bruised, and 
of an oily and bitter taste.] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (i) Daturine, a mixture of 
Hyoscyamine and Atropine [(0.3 per cent.); (2) Scopolamine; (3) A fixed 
oil (25 per cent.), which contains Daturic Acid, C 17 H 34 2 . ] 

Incompatibles. — Caustic Alkalies, Metallic Salts, and Mineral Acids. 

Dose, 1 to 3 gr. 

Preparations. 

1. Extractum Stramonii [Seminis. — Extract of Stramonium Seed. 
By maceration and percolation with diluted Alcohol and evaporation. 

Dose, X to y z gr. 

It is used to prepare Unguentum Stramonii. 

2. Extractum Stramonii Seminis Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of 
Stramonium Seed. By maceration and percolation with Alcohol and 
water, and evaporation. 

Dose, 1 to 3 m. 

3. Tinctura Stramonii Seminis. —Tincture of Stramonium Seed. 
Stramonium Seed, 150; with diluted Alcohol, by maceration and perco- 
lation into 1000. 

Dose, 5 to 30 m. 

4. Unguentum Stramonii. — Stramonium Ointment. Extract of 
Stramonium Seed, 10; diluted Alcohol, 5; Benzoinated Lard, 85.] 

STRAMONII FO LI A. — Stramonium Leaves. The [leaves of Datura 
Stramonium Linne (nat. ord. Solanacece) . 

Characters. — About 15 cm. long, petiolate, dark-green, smooth, ovate, 
pointed, unequal, especially at the base, coarsely and sinuately toothed ; thin, 
brittle, and nearly inodorous; taste unpleasant, bitter and nauseous.] Resem- 
bling Stramonium Leaves. — Belladonna leaves, but less wrinkled; hyoscyamus 
leaves, hairy. 

Composition. — As of the seeds, the proportion of daturine [is about 2 per 
cent. 

Dose, 1 to 5 gr.] 

Action. 

The physiological action of daturine is that of [a mixture of 
hyoscyamine and] atropine, and therefore that of stramonium is 
almost the same as that of belladonna ; the differences being that 
stramonium relaxes the muscular coat of the bronchial tubes more 
powerfully than belladonna, and it may cause the heart to be a 
little irregular. 



HYOSCYAMUS. 3I9 

Therapeutics. 
There is no reason why stramonium should not be employed 
for the same purposes as belladonna, but it is rarely used, except 
in cases of asthma, to relieve the spasm of the bronchial tubes 
For this it is very valuable. Cigarettes of the leaves may be 
smoked, or the drug may be given internally. The following 
powder, which gives off dense fumes if burnt, is said to afford 
great relief for asthma :— leaves of Datura Stramonium, Datura 
Tatula [not official], Cannabis Indica, and Lobelia Inflata, all in 
powder, and of each 6 dr. ; nitre in powder, 1 oz. ; eucalyptus oil, 
30 Tit. Mix thoroughly. 

HYOSCYAMUS. 

[HYOSCYAMUS. — Synonym. — Henbane. The leaves and flowering 
tops of Hyoscyamus Niger Linne (nat. ord. Solanacece), collected from plants 
of the second year's growth. Habitat. — Europe and Asia; naturalized in some 
parts of North America. 

Characters. — Leaves ovate, or ovate-oblong, up to 25 cm. long and 10 
cm. broad; sinuate-toothed, the teeth large, oblong or triangular; grayish- 
green and, particularly on the lower surface, glandular-hairy ; midrib promi- 
nent; flowers nearly sessile, with an urn-shaped, five-toothed calyx, and a 
light yellow, purple-veined corolla ; odor heavy, narcotic ; taste bitter and 
somewhat acrid.] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — ( 1 ) Hyoscyamine, C 17 H 28 N0 3 , 
an alkaloid. It is also contained in many plants of the natural order Solan- 
acece. According to most authorities it, like Atropine, consists of Tropic Acid 
and Tropine. There is in commerce an amorphous impure Hyoscyamine, 
which is a dark brown extract-like fluid having a disagreeable odor. As it is 
much cheaper than the crystalline alkaloid it is often used. (2) Hyoscine, a 
white crystalline alkaloid. It is most likely a derivative of Hyoscyamine, and 
isomeric with it. It is the active constituent of commercial Hyoscyamine. Only 
its Salts are used. [(3) Scopolamine, an amorphous or crystalline alkaloid.] 

Incompatibles — Vegetable acids, Silver Nitrate, Lead Acetate, Alkalies. 

Dose, 5 to 15 gr. 

Preparations , 

1. Extractum Hyoscyami. — [Extract of Hyoscyamus. By mace- 
ration and percolation with diluted Alcohol and evaporation. 

Dose, y 2 to 2 gr.] 

2. Extractum Hyoscyami Fluidum. — [Fluid Extract of Hyos- 



320 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

cyamus. By maceration and percolation with Alcohol and water, and 
evaporation. 

Dose, 5 to 15 m.] 

3. Tinctura Hyoscyami. — [Tincture of Hyoscyamus. — Hyoscy- 
amus, 150; diluted Alcohol to 1000. By maceration and percolation. 

Dose, 1 to 4 fl. dr.] 

[HYOSCYAMINE SULPHAS.— Hyoscyamine Sulphate (C ir 
H 23 N0 3 ) 2 H 2 S0 4 =674.58. The neutral sulphate of an Alkaloid prepared from 
Hyoscyamus. 

Source. — Hyoscyamus seed is treated with Ether, to remove fat, then 
with Alcohol acidulated with Sulphuric Acid and distilled. The aqueous res- 
idue is neutralized with Soda, and the liquid precipitated with Tannin, the 
precipitate mixed with Lime, then exhausted by strong Alcohol. The Alco- 
holic solution is treated with Sulphuric Acid, then with Soda and finally with 
Ether, which dissolves the alkaloid, which is obtained from it by distillation. 

Characters. — White, indistinct crystals, or a white powder, without 
odor, and having a bitter, acrid taste; deliquescent in damp air. — Solubility. — 
In 0.5 part of water, and in 2.5 parts of alcohol; very slightly soluble in 
Ether or Chloroform. 

Dose, bo to 3V gr. 

HYOSCYAMINiE HYDROBROMAS.— Hyoscyamine Hydrobro- 
mate. C 1T H 23 N0 3 HBr=369. 14. The hydrobromate of an alkaloid obtained 
from Hyoscyamus. 

Characters. — A yellowish-white, amorphous, resin-like mass, or pris- 
matic crystals, having, particularly when damp, a tobacco-like odor, and an 
acrid, nauseous, and bitter taste; deliquescent on exposure to air. So'.ubility. 
In about 0.3 part of water, 2 parts of Alcohol, 3000 parts of Ether, or 250 
parts of Chloroform. 

Dose, tbo to 30 gr. 

HYOSCINE HYDROBROMAS.— Hyoscine Hydrobromate. C 17 
H 21 N0 4 HBr+3H 2 0=436.98. The Hydrobromate of an alkaloid obtained 
from Hyoscyamus. 

Characters. — Colorless, transparent, rhombic crystals, odorless, and 
having an acrid, slightly bitter taste ; permanent in the air. Solubility. — In 
1.9 parts of water, and in 13 parts of Alcohol; very slightly soluble in Ether 
or Chloroform. 

Dose, Tso to xU gr.] 

Action. 
The action of hyoscyamus is almost identical with that of bel- 
ladonna and stramonium, because of the identity of the hyoscya- 



HYOSCYAMUS. 321 

mine in hyoscymus, the atropine in belladonna, and the daturine 
[(a mixture of atropine and hyoscyamine)] in stramonium. The 
following are the chief points of difference : (i) Hyoscyamus 
contains in addition hyoscine in minute quantities. This is a 
powerful cerebral and spinal sedative, and therefore the 
excitation and delirium occasioned by the atropine in belladonna 
are not so evident when hyoscyamus is given; indeed, that may, 
owing to the hyoscine in it, distinctly depress the higher func- 
tions of the brain. The heart is not quite so powerfully affected 
by hyoscyamus as by belladonna, for hyoscine has a compara- 
tively feeble cardiac influence. Still it is, of course, affected by 
the hyoscyamine, which acts like atropine. (2) Hyoscyamus 
increases the peristaltic contractions of the intestines more 
powerfully than belladonna, and at the same time it is more effi- 
cient in relieving the griping of other purgatives. (3) Hyos- 
cyamus has a more markedly sedative action on the urinary 
unstriped muscle than belladonna. 

Therapeutics. 

Hyoscyamus might be used for the same purposes as bella- 
donna, but is chiefly employed in combination with purgatives to 
diminish their griping action. It is also largely given to relieve 
vesical spasm in calculus, cystitis, and prostatitis, usually in con- 
junction with other urinary sedatives, as buchu, uva ursi, or ben- 
zoic acid if the urine is alkaline. It will be noticed that the 
doses of the preparations of hyoscyamus are larger than those of 
the corresponding preparations of belladonna. 

Hyoscine and commercial hyoscyamine may, if given cau- 
tiously, be employed as cerebral depressants, and are used in 
acute mania, delirium tremens, febrile delirium, and insomnia, 
sometimes with good results. They are mostly given in asylum 
practice. Chorea, paralysis agitans, and other convulsive diseased 
have been treated with them, but the convulsions always recur 
when these drugs are discontinued. 
28 



322 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

CANNABIS INDICA. 

[INDIAN CANNABIS. — Synonym. — Indian Hemp. The flowering 
tops of the female plant of Cannabis sativa Linne (nat. ord. Urticacece), 
grown in the East Indies. Habitat. — Asia; collected in India. 

Characters. — Branching, compressed, brittle, about 5 cm. or more 
long, with a few digitate leaves, having linear-lanceolate leaflets and numerous, 
sheathing, pointed bracts, each containing two small, pistillate flowers, some- 
times with the nearly ripe fruit, the whole more or less agglutinated with a 
resinous exudation. It has a brownish green color, a peculiar, narcotic odor, 
and a slightly acrid taste. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — ( r ) Cannabinon, [a soft resin. 
(2) Choline, C 5 H ]5 N0 2 which is contained in (3) Tetanocannabine ', and 
with alkalies gives (4) Cannabinine. (5) A brown, amorphorus resin,] said lo 
be very active. 

Incompatibles. — Water, which precipitates the Resin. 

Dose, 2 to 5 gr. 

Preparations 

1. Extractum Cannabis Indicae. — [Extract of Indian Cannabis. 
By maceration and percolation with Alcohol, and evaporation. 

Dose, y 6 to % gr. 

2. Extractum Cannabis Indicae Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of 
Indian Cannabis. By maceration, percolation with Alcohol, which is dis- 
tilled off, and evaporation. 

Dose, 2 to 5 m. 

3. Tinctura Cannabis Indicae. — Tincture of Indian Cannabis. 
Indian Cannabis, 50; Alcohol, by maceration and percolation, to 1 000. 

Dose, 5 to 30 m.] 
Synonym. — Haschisch is a confection of the drug. Gunjah, or Ganga, is 
the dried leaves prepared for smoking. Churrus is the Resin scraped off the 
leaves. 

Action. 

External. — None is known. 

Internal. — The effects of Cannabis Indica vary very much 
on different people. This is partly due to the uncertain strength 
of the preparations of the drug, and partly to individual peculi- 
arities, but generally the symptoms are somewhat as follows. 
After some time, usually from half an hour to two or three hours, 
there is a pleasurable sensation of mild intoxication ; the patient 
is particularly gay, joyous, and pleased with everything; he will 



CAFFEINE. 323 

laugh and smile on the slightest provocation, and is himself able 
to say sharp, witty things. Pleasant ideas flit through his mind 
with wonderful rapidity, so that time seems to him much [pro- 
longed ; space also seems to be extended.] Generally the ideas are 
quickly forgotten, but sometimes the memory of them remains 
after recovery. The eyes are bright, the pupils may be dilated. 
The limbs feel heavy, and there is a marked lowering of general 
sensibility, so that he scarcely feels a severe pinch ; this may pass 
on to complete anaesthesia. There may be headache. After a 
time sleep, which is often accompanied by delightful dreams, 
comes on. [On awakening the sense of hunger is acute.] The 
drug is frequently taken in the East to produce the early pleasur- 
able symptoms, but this habit is said to lead to loss of appetite 
and strength, trembling, and much weakness. Cannabis Indica 
is reputed to occasionally produce sexual excitement, but this is 
probably incorrect. No details about its physiological action are 
known. 

Therapeutics. 
It has been given with success in migraine and neuralgia, but 
it very often fails to afford relief. Its use as an hypnotic has been 
discarded. The tincture is very difficult to prescribe, because of 
the voluminous precipitate of resin which falls on the addition of 
water. Mucilage must be used to suspend it, and the taste should 
be covered with Spirit of Chloroform. 

CAFFEINA. 

CAFFEINE.— C 8 H 10 N 4 O 2 -f H 2 0=2ii.68. Synonyms. — Theine, 
Guaranine. [A feebly basic, proximate principle, obtained from the dried 
leaves of Thea sinensis Linne (nat. ord. Temstrceiniacece), or from the dried 
seed of Coffea arabica, Linne (nat."*ord. Rubiacece), and found also in other 
plants. Habitat. — Tropical Africa ; cultivated in tropical countries. 

Source. — Exhaust bruised coffee by successive portions of boiling water, 
precipitate with Lead Acetate, decompose the excess of Lead Acetate in the 
filtrate by Hydrogen Sulphide, concentrate by evaporation, neutralize with 
Ammonia. The Caffeine crystallizes on cooling, and is purified by redissolving 
in water, treating with Animal Charcoal, and evaporation.] 

Characters. — [Fleecy masses of long, flexible, white crystals, possessing 
a silky lustre, without odor, having a bitter taste, and permanent in the air 



324 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Solubility. — In 80 parts of water, 33 parts of Alcohol, 555 parts of Ether, or 
7 parts of Chloroform.] Tea contains 3 to 5 per cent, (hence the name Theine). 
Coffee, 1.3 per cent, (coffee leaves contain much more). Guarana (the seeds of 
Paullinia sorbilis), [4 to] 5 per cent, (hence the name guaranine). Mate (Para- 
guay tea, the leaves of flex paraguayensis), 1.2 per cent. It also exists in the 
kola nut (which is used as a beverage in Africa) ; this is the fruit of Sterculia 
acuminata. Caffeine is trimethyl-xanthine, theobromine is dimethyl-xanthine, 
and both can be prepared synthetically from xanthine. 

Incompatibles. — Potassium Iodide, Mercury Salts, and Tannic Acid. 

Dose, 1 to 5 gr. 

Preparations. 

[1. Caffeina Citrata. — Citrated Caffeine. Dissolve Citric Acid, 
50, in hot distilled water, 100 ; add the Caffeine, 50, and evaporate the 
resulting solution, on a water-bath, to dryness, constantly stirring towards 
the end of the operation. Reduce the product to a fine powder. 

Characters. — A white powder, odorless, having a purely acid 
taste and an acid reaction. Solubility. — One part of Citrated Caffeine 
forms a clear, syrupy solution with about 3 parts of water. 

Dose, 2 to 8 gr. 

2. Caffeina Citrata Effervescens. — Effervescent Citrated Caf- 
feine. Caffeine, 10; Citric Acid, IO; Sodium Bicarbonate, 330; 
Tartaric Acid, 300; Sugar, 350; Alcohol, to make 1 000. Triturate 
the solid ingredients, separately well dried, to a fine uniform powder. 
Mix this with Alcohol to a soft paste and rub it through a sieve. Then 
dry it, and reduce it to a coarse, granular powder. 
Dose, 1 to 4 dr.] 

Action. 
External. — None. 

Internal. — Alimentary canal. — Excessive tea-drinking may 
cause indigestion, but this is probably induced by the tannin in 
the tea, and not by the caffeine. The teeth of tea-tasters are 
very liable to decay. Coffee is, wtth some persons, slightly lax- 
ative : it is not known to what ingredient this is due. 

Circulation. — Caffeine is freely absorbed. It produces no 
change in the blood. Experiments concerning its action on the 
heart are contradictory, but there appears no doubt that in man 
moderate doses increase the force of the cardiac contraction 
and the duration of the systole, the diastolic period being 
shortened ; as a consequence of this the blood-pressure rises. 



CAFFEINE. 325 

Toxic doses paralyze the heart. These effects are also produced 
by the local application of caffeine to the heart of the frog. 

Respiration. — This is not much influenced by caffeine. Me- 
dicinal doses are said to excite and toxic doses to depress it. 

Nervous syste?n. — It is well known that tea and coffee stim- 
ulate the cerebrum. This is due to the caffeine in them. The 
patient becomes wakeful, the mental activity and capability for 
work are increased, the reasoning powers being quite as much 
affected as the imagination. In this respect the cerebral stimu- 
lation of caffeine differs from that of opium, and also in that the 
excitation is not inco-ordinate, nor is it soon replaced by sleep. 
Very excessive tea-drinking causes trembling of all the muscles 
of the body, and makes the patient extremely " nervous." 

In man the spinal cord and muscles are very little affected by 
caffeine, but in some frogs the spinal cord is decidedly stimu- 
lated, and convulsions occur; in other species the muscles are 
thrown into a state of rigidity, which is clearly due to an action 
on the muscles themselves, for it follows the application of caf- 
feine to an isolated muscle. Sometimes the muscle curve is 
altered in character. It is believed that in man the powers of 
muscular endurance are increased by caffeine. Motor and sensory 
nerves are uninfluenced in all animals. 

Kidneys. — By means of the oncometer it has been shown that 
the first effect of a dose of caffeine is to cause a contraction of 
the kidney with a decrease in the urinary flow ; but soon the 
organ becomes larger than it was before the experiment, and 
the flow of urine is increased. Thus caffeine is a good local 
diuretic. 

Metabolism — Many elaborate experiments have been made 
upon the action of caffeine on tissue waste ; they are all of them 
inconclusive, probably because it has no effect. Some say it de- 
creases, some that it increases, the elimination of urea. Toxic 
doses may cause a slight rise of temperature. 

Therapeutics. 
Heai't. — Caffeine has been most used in heart disease. It is 
given when, as in aortic or mitral obstruction, a purely stimulant 



326 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

effect is desired; large doses, 10 or 20 gr. a day of the [citrated, 
or 2 to 6 dr. of the effervescent citrated], are often easily borne, 
and may be combined with strychnine. [These preparations are 
useful, when combined with antipyrin or acetanilid derivatives, 
to counteract their depressing influence upon the heart.] Caffeine 
will not replace digitalis, for it does not slow the heart nor make it 
regular, and it shortens the diastole. It is, on account of its 
diuretic action, especially valuable in cardiac cases in which there 
is dropsy. Tea and coffee are, in some persons, liable to produce 
irregularity of the heart. 

Kidney. — Small doses of caffeine are powerfully diuretic, and 
are therefore used in heart disease, ascites, pleuritic effusion, &c. 
As the drug acts directly on the kidney, it should be given 
cautiously in renal disease. Many patients so soon become used 
to it that at the end of a week it has lost its power of producing 
diuresis. 

Nervous system. — Occasionally it cures migraine, but it is not 
so useful as [antipyrin] or exalgin (see Appendix). 

It may be rendered sufficiently soluble for subcutaneous ad- 
ministration by mixing it with a solution of sodium salicylate. 

[GUARANA. 

GUAR AN A. — Synonym. — Brazilian Cocoa. A dried paste chiefly 
consisting of the crushed or pounded seeds of Paullinia Cupana, Kunth ( Paul- 
linia sorbillis, Martius; nat. ord. Sapindacece). Habitat. — Northern and 
Western Brazil. 

Characters. — Subglobular or elliptic cakes, or cylindrical sticks, hard, 
dark reddish-brown; fracture uneven, somewhat glossy, pale reddish -brown, 
showing fragments of seeds invested with blackish-brown integuments; odor 
slight, peculiar, resembling that of chocolate ; taste, astringent and bitter. Solu- 
bility. — It is partly soluble in water, and in Alcohol. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are (1) Guaranine, identical with 
Caffeine, 4 to 5 per cent, [see p. 323); (2) Resin; (3) Volatile Oil; (4) 
Saponin; (5) Tannin. 

Dose, % to 1 dr. 

Preparation. 

Extractum Guaranse Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Guarana. By 
maceration and percolation with Alcohol and water, and evaporation. 
Dose, ^ to 1 fl. dr. 



nux vomica. 327 

Action and Therapeutics. 
Although there is no reason to believe that guaranine does 
not produce the same action on the nervous system, heart and 
kidneys as caffeine, yet it is rarely used except for sick headaches ; 
but in these cases it is sometimes of the greatest service.] 

NUX VOMICA. 

NUX VOMICA. Synonyms. — [Dog Button, Poison Nut. The seed 
of Strychnos Nux-vomica Linne (nat. ord. Loganiace<z). Habitat. — India and 
East Indian Islands.] 

Characters. — [About 25 mm. in diameter, orbicular, grayish or greenish- 
gray; soft-hairy, of a silky lustre, with a slight ridge extending from the centre 
of one side to the edge; internally horny, somewhat translucent, very tough, 
with a large, circular cavity, into which the heart-shaped, nerved cotyledons 
project. It is inodorous and persistently bitter.] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Strychnine (q. v.) 0.2 to 
0.6 per cent.; (2) Brucine, C 23 H 26 N 2 4 , 0.5 to 1.0 per cent, in rectangular 
octahedra. Very bitter, but less so than Strychnine. Solubility. — Freely in 
Alcohol, and in 7 parts of Chloroform. It has the same action as Strychnine, 
but it is considerably less powerful and slower in its effects. Strong Sulphuric 
or Nitric Acid gives a blood-red color. (3) Igasuric Acid, with which the 
Strychnine and Brucine are united. (4) \_Loganin, C 25 H 34 O u , in colorless 
prisms. 

Dose, 1 to 4 gr.] 

Preparations. 

1. Extractum Nucis Vomicae. — [Extract of Nux Vomica. By 
maceration with Acetic Acid, Alcohol and water, and percolation with 
Alcohol and water, distillation ; treat with Ether, filter, evaporate and 
add Sugar of Milk. 

Dose, y % to 1 gr. 

It is used to make Tinctura Nucis Vomicae 

2. Extractum Nucis Vomicae Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Nux 
Vomica. By digestion with Acetic Acid, Alcohol and water, and per- 
colation with Alcohol and water. Distill off the Alcohol and evaporate. 

Dose, 1 to 4 m. 

3. Tinctura Nucis Vomicae.— Tincture of Nux Vomica. Extract 
of Nux Vomica, 20 ; Alcohol and water to 1000. By solution. 

Dose, 5 to 20 m.] 



328 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

STRYCHNIN A.— Strychnine. C 21 H 22 N 2 2 [=333.3i. An alkaloid 
obtained from Nux Vomica, and also obtainable from other plants of the 
natural order Loganiacece. 

Source. — (i) Comminute the Nux Vomica; (2) Extract the Strychnine 
with water acidulated with Hydrochloric Acid; (3) Concentrate the infusion, 
decompose the Strychnine with Lime; (4) Extract the Strychnine from the 
precipitate with boiling Alcohol; (5) Concentrate the solution to obtain the 
crystals. 

Characters. — Colorless, transparent, octahedral or prismatic crystals, or 
a white, crystalline powder, odorless, and having an intensely bitter taste per- 
ceptible even in highly dilute (1 in 700,000) solution. Permanent in the air. 
Solubility. — In 6700 parts of water, and in no parts of Alcohol; in 2500 
parts of boiling water, and in 12 parts of boiling Alcohol. Also soluble in 
7 parts of Chloroform, but almost insoluble in Ether. ] Gives no color with 
Nitric or Sulphuric Acids. Add to a crystal, strong Sulphuric Acid, and then 
add a particle of Potassium Bichromate, a beautiful violet color, passing to 
brown and green, is formed. Resembling Strychnine. — Salicylic Acid [q. v.). 

Impurity. — Brucine, distinguished by tests. 

Dose, b x u to 5V gr. in solution, or made in a pill with Sugar of Milk (to 
thoroughly divide it) and Glycerin of Tragacanth ; 55 to 50 gr. hypodermati- 
cally, or the Nitrate soluble I in 60 of water may be used. 

[Preparations. 

1. Ferri et Strychninae Citras. — See Iron, p. 174. 

2. Syrupus Ferri, Quininae et Strychninae Phosphatum. See 
Iron, p. 173. 

STRYCHNINE SULPHAS.— Strychnine Sulphate. (C 21 H 22 N 2 

2 ) 2 H,S0 4 +5H 2 0=854.24. 

Source. — By the action of diluted Sulphuric Acid on Strychnine, filtra- 
tion and evaporation. 

Characters. — Colorless or white, prismatic crystals, odorless, and having 
an intensely bitter taste perceptible even in highly dilute (1 in 700,000) 
solution. Efflorescent in dry air. Solubility. — In 50 parts of water, and in 
109 parts of Alcohol; almost insoluble in Ether. 

Dose, bu to T5 gr.] 

Action. 

External. — Strychnine is a very powerful antiseptic. 
Brucine is a local anaesthetic 

Internal. — Gastro-intestinal tract. — Being intensely bitter, 
nux vomica is a good stomachic, increasing the vascularity of the 



NUX VOMICA. 329 

gastric mucous membrane, the secretion of gastric juice, and the 
movements of the stomach, just like calumba, gentian, or any 
other bitter; consequently it aids digestion and sharpens the 
appetite. In the intestine it is a direct stimulant to the intestinal 
muscular coat, and by this means it increases peristalsis, and 
is therefore purgative. 

Blood. — Strychnine is absorbed into the blood, and circulates 
as such. If blood is mixed with strychnine and shaken with air, 
it contains more oxygen and less carbon dioxide than it would 
have done had the strychnine been absent ; but there is no evi- 
dence that strychnine in small doses alters the oxidizing power of 
living blood. 

Spinal cord. — Strychnine causes convulsions. They are 
not cerebral, for they occur if the spinal cord is separated from 
the brain. They do not depend upon excitation of the motor 
nerves or muscles, for they are absent in a limb, the spinal ante- 
rior nerve-roots of which are cut. They do not depend upon 
stimulation of sensory nerves, for they occur even if the posterior 
nerve-roots are cut. Therefore they must be spinal ; and this 
is proved by the fact that if all the vessels of the lower part of 
the spinal cord are [ligated] just at their entry into the cord, so 
that this is the only part of the body deprived of its blood supply, 
and strychnine is injected into the blood, convulsions occur in 
all the muscles except those the nerves of which spring from the 
part of the cord which the strychnine cannot reach. Again, if 
an animal be convulsed by strychnine, and a probe be slowly 
passed down the spinal canal, the convulsions will gradually cease 
from above downwards. Strychnine, therefore, enormously in- 
creases the excitability of the motor nerve-cells of the spinal cord. 
The result is that even the slightest stimulus, as a breath of air, 
acting reflexly, causes violent convulsions. 

Muscles and nerves. — Even with enormous doses the muscles 
and afferent nerves are unaffected. Towards the end of a case of 
poisoning the functional activity of the motor nerves is depressed. 
This is not due, as has been thought, to their exhaustion from the 
transmission of the impulses from the spinal cord which produce 



330 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

the convulsions, but it is the result of a direct paralyzing effect 
on the motor nerves themselves. 

Brain. — The convolutions are quite unaffected. The 
centers in the medulla, which are really the continuation upwards 
of the anterior cornual cells of the cord, are powerfully stimu- 
lated, especially the respiratory center. The vasomotor 
center is also considerably excited, and chiefly for this reason 
the blood -pressure rises from the very first. The cardiac center 
is but slightly affected. 

Circulation. — Strychnine stimulates the heart directly, 
either by its action on the cardiac muscle, or, as most authorities 
think, by stimulating the motor ganglia. The blood-pressure 
is raised, partly no doubt by the action on the heart, but also 
by the contraction of the vessels all over the body, which is 
brought about first by the direct excitation by the strychnine, of 
the medullary vaso-motor center, and subsequently by its asphyx- 
ial stimulation, and also by the increased peripheral resistance 
which must occur from the frequent contraction of all the 
muscles. 

Respiration. — Respiration is rendered quicker and deeper 
because strychnine excites the spinal and medullary respiratory 
centers. The respiratory muscles are implicated in the general 
convulsions, with the result that the patient ultimately becomes 
asphyxiated owing to exhaustion of them, and to their prolonged 
contraction during the convulsive spasms. The heart continues 
to beat after death, which is entirely due to failure of respiration. 
The temperature is a little raised during strychnine poisoning. 

Special senses. — The hearing and sight are sharpened by 
strychnine. 

Elimination. — Part of the strychnine is eliminated unchanged 
in the urine ; the rest appears as strychnic acid. It is excreted 
very slowly, and therefore accumulates in the system. For a 
clinical account of strychnine poisoning see Toxicology. 

Brucine and thebaine act like strychnine, but methylbrucine, 
methylthebaine, and methylstrychnine do not influence the cord, 
but paralyze the ends of the motor nerves like curare. 



- ^. 



NUX VOMICA. 331 

Therapeutics. 

External. — Strychnine is so poisonous that its use as an 
antiseptic would not be safe. 

Internal. — Gastro-intestinal tract. — Tincture of mix vomica 
is very largely given with excellent results as a bitter stomachic 
and carminative, especially in cases in which the feebleness of 
digestion is merely part of generally feeble health.. A mixture 
of diluted hydrochloric acid, gentian and nux vomica is of great 
service in these cases. As the digestion improves the general 
health improves. Because of its power to stimulate peristalsis 
nux vomica is a valuable drug for cases of constipation in which 
the contractile strength of the muscular coat of the intestine is 
weak; usually this is part of a general weakness of the whole 
body. The constipation of anaemia, which can be very suc- 
cessfully treated by a pill of extract of mix vomica and 
ferrous sulphate, is a good instance of this variety of constipa- 
tion. 

Circulation. — In cases of heart disease in which digitalis is 
inadmissible, nux vomica and strychnine are excellent cardiac 
stimulants, and for this purpose they may be combined with 
caffeine. Patients almost dead from failure of the heart in the 
course of chronic cardiac disease may sometimes be brought round 
by the subcutaneous injection of strychnine. 

Respiration. — Strychnine maybe combined with- expectorants 
because it stimulates the respiratory centre; and it is extremely 
serviceable when from any cause, such as severe bronchitis, the 
respirations are feeble and shallow. [It is also useful in pneumo- 
nia when death is imminent from dilatation of the right heart. 
In this condition it should be administered hypodermaticallyand 
at frequent intervals.] 

Nervous syste?n. — It has been given for a number of nervous 
diseases, but with no constantly good results, for when the disease 
is not in the anterior cornua, strychnine is hardly indicated; and 
if it is in this part of the cord, it is doubtful whether it is advisa- 
able to stimulate the part of the body which is diseased. 



33 2 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Toxicology. 

In about an hour after a poisonous dose the patient begins to feel uneasy 
from a sensation of impending suffocation. The tetanic convulsions then com- 
mence with great violence, nearly all the muscles of the body being affected at 
once. The limbs are thrown out, the hands are clenched, the head is jerked 
forwards and then bent backwards, and the whole body is perfectly stiff from 
the violence of the contractions. The pulse is very rapid ; the temperature may 
rise. Hearing and sight are acute. The convulsion lasts a minute or two, then 
the muscles relax, and the patient feels exhausted and sweats all over. The 
intermission is short, convulsions soon come on again, and again there is a re- 
lapse to the state of muscular relaxation. The convulsions now rapidly increase 
in severity, and owing to the violent contractions of the muscles of the back, 
the paient is in the position of opisthotonos, resting on his head and his heels. 
The abdominal muscles are as hard as a board, the chest is fixed, the face be- 
comes livid, the eyeballs are staring. The contraction of the muscles of the 
face causes a risus sardonicus ; but those of the jaw are not affected till near 
the end. Consciousness is retained till the last. The slightest noise or even a 
bright light will reflexly bring on the convulsions, which may jerk the patient 
out of bed. Ultimately he dies from exhaustion and asphyxia. The smallest 
dose of strychnine known to have killed is half a grain. Post-mortem. — The 
usual appearances of death by asphyxia are seen. 

Strychnine poisoning is liable to be confounded with tetanus, but in this 
disease symptoms come on more slowly, the muscles of the jaw are implicated 
very early, and there is continuous muscular rigidity with paroxysmal exacer- 
bations, but never complete muscular relaxation. 

Treatment. — Give emetics [see p. 79), or wash out the stomach if the case 
is seen early enough for the passing of the tube not to cause spasm. Also give 
plenty of animal charcoal or tannic acid, but continue the washing out. Inject 
large doses of potassium bromide and chloral per rectum. Use amyl nitrite 
inhalations, and if possible artificial respiration. 

Antagonism. 

In a sense strychnine is antidotal to chloral and morphine, but it is not a 
strict antidote, for they act chiefly on the cerebrum. Still chloral is valuable in 
strychnine poisoning, and although the antagonism with Calabar bean and gel- 
semium is more accurate, as both depress the anterior cornua, yet they are of 
very little use in strychnine poisoning. 

Strychnine acts on all animals as on man, but chickens, 
guinea-pigs, and perhaps monkeys are less susceptible to it than 
other animals. 



CALABAR BEAN. 333 

PHYSOSTIGMA. 

PHYSOSTIGMA.— [Synonym.— Calabar Bean. The seed of Pkysos- 
tigma venenosum Balfour (nat. ord. Leguminosos). Habitat. — Tropical Western 
Africa, near the mouth of the Niger and old Calabar. 

Characters. — About 25 to 30 mm. long, 15 to 20 mm. broad, and 10 to 
15 mm. thick; oblong, and somewhat reniform; testa granular, chocolate- 
brown, with a broad, black groove extending over the entire length of the con- 
vex edge ; embryo with a short, curved radicle, and two large, white, concavo- 
convex cotyledons ; inodorous; taste, bean-like. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are two alkaloids: (1) Physostig- 
mine or eserine (see below) ; (2) Calabarine, derivative of physostigmine.~\ 

Dose, l /z to 2 gr. of powdered beans. 

Preparations. 

1. Extractum Physostigmatis. — [Extract of Physostigma. By 
maceration, percolation with Alcohol and evaporation.] 

Dose, y^ to x /l gr. internally, or rather less dissolved in 10 Tf[ °f 
water and given subcutaneously. 

2. [Tinctura Physostigmatis. — Tincture of Physostigma. Phy- 
sostigma, 150. By maceration, percolation with alcohol to 1000. 

Dose, 10 to 30 m ] 

[PHYSOSTIGMINE SALICYLAS.— Physostigmine Salicylate. 
C 15 H. 21 N 3 2 C 7 H 6 3 =4i2. 17. Synonym. — Eserine Salicylate The salicylate 
of an alkaloid obtained from Physostigma. 

Source. — By adding Physostigmine to a solution of Salicylic Acid in 
boiling distilled water, and allowing the salt to crystallize on cooling. 

Characters. — Colorless or faintly yellowish, shining, acicular, or short, 
columnar crystals, odorless, and having a bitter taste. It acquires a reddish 
tint when long exposed to light and air. Solubility. — In 150 parts of water, 
and in 1 2 parts of alcohol. 

Dose, T $„ to ¥ V gr. 

PHYSOSTIGMINE SULPHAS.— Physostigmine Sulphate. (C 15 
H 21 N 3 2 ) 2 H 2 S0 4 =646.82. Synonym. — Eserine Sulphate. The Sulphate of 
an Alkaloid obtained from Physostigma. 

Characters. — A white or yellowish-white, micro- crystalline powder; 
odorless, and having a bitter taste. It is very deliquescent when exposed to 
moist air, and gradually turns reddish by exposure to air and light. Solubility. 
— Very soluble in water and in Alcohol. 

Dose, T i, to J* grr.l 



334 organic materia medica. 

Action. 

External. — None. 

Internal. — Mouth. — After physostigmine is absorbed it in- 
creases the salivary secretion ; and this, according to some, 
is through its action on the centre in the medulla; according to 
others, by its direct effect on the salivary cells. After a time the 
flow of saliva ceases, because the drug has so acted on the circu- 
lation as to constrict the vessels, and consequently the flow of 
blood through the salivary glands is diminished. 

Stomach and intestines. — The muscular coat of the stomach 
and intestines is stimulated by the direct action of the drug 
circulating through it. The result is that after a large dose 
vomiting and purging occur. Physostigmine is quickly ab- 
sorbed. 

Circulation. — No influence on the blood is known. The 
effect on the heart is obscure, but it appears that the irritability 
of the peripheral terminations of the vagus is at first increased, 
and that consequently the heart is slowed. Very large doses 
are said to decrease the irritability of the vagus. In addition to 
its effects on the vagus, physostigmine powerfully stimulates the 
contractile force of the heart. The beat is therefore both more 
forcible and slower. Ultimately the organ is paralyzed and 
stops in diastole. 

The blood-pressure rises very much ; this is largely due 
to the increased force of the cardiac beat, but perhaps partly to 
the irritation of the muscular coat of the arteries by physostig- 
mine, for it stimulates most of the involuntary muscles 
in the body. 

Respiration is first quickened, but soon retarded, and death 
takes place from asphyxia. Three factors at least are probably 
concerned in bringing about these results. The ends of the va^i 
in the lungs are stimulated, for if these nerves are cut and physo- 
stigmine is administered there is no primary quickening of res- 
piration. Physostigmine, from its action on involuntary mus- 
cular fibre, causes contraction of that in the bronchial tubes, with 
consequent constriction of them. Lastly and the most important, 



CALABAR BEAN. 335 

the activity of the respiratory centres in the medulla and cord is 
depressed. 

Nervous system. — Brain. — Even in fatal doses consciousness 
is unimpaired. The only part of the brain known to be affected 
is the respiratory centre. 

Spinal cord. — It is here that physostigmine produces its most 
characteristic effects. Reflex activity is inhibited; by ex- 
clusion it can be shown that this is not owing to any influence on 
the nerves or voluntary muscles, therefore it is due to depression 
of the anterior cornua of the spinal cord. The most con- 
clusive proof of this is the direct application of the drug to the 
cord. There is then, at first, from the irritation, which is caused 
by almost any substance, a slight increase of reflex excitability, 
but this soon gives way to complete abolition of it. Later on 
the posterior part of the cord is also paralyzed, so that there is a 
diminution of cutaneous sensibility. 

Voluntary muscles and their nerves. — These are but slightly 
influenced. With very large doses the irritability of motor 
nerves and muscles is slightly depressed; sensory nerves are 
unaffected. 

Involuntary muscles. — We have already seen that the involun- 
tary muscles of the intestines, stomach, and bronchial tubes are 
stimulated by physostigmine; so also are those of the spleen, 
uterus* bladder, and iris. It is not decided whether in all these 
instances it is the muscular fibres or the terminations of the nerves 
in them that are affected. 

Eye. — Physostigmine applied locally to the conjunctiva or in- 
troduced into the circulation causes contraction of the pupil, 
spasm of accommodation, and a diminution of intra- 
ocular tension. In the main these effects are due to irritation 
of the terminations of the third nerve, and can be prevented 
by atropine. Some consider that the muscular fibres are also 
affected, and others that the peripheral sympathetic nerve-fibres 
in the iris are paralyzed. 

Secretions. — The saliva, sweat, tears, and buccal mucus are 
increased. The cause of this is unknown. 



336 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

The action of physostigmine is much more constant than that 
of Calabar bean, because the calabarine (which stimulates the 
cord) in the bean interferes with the action of physostigmine. 

Therapeutics. 

Involuntary muscles. — Because of its stimulating power on un- 
striped muscle Calabar bean has been recommended for chronic 
constipation, atony of the bladder, and chronic bronchitis with 
deficient power of expectoration, but it is rarely given for these 
purposes. 

Spinal cord. — Calabar bean has been largely used for tetanus, 
and some cases of recovery have been reported ; probably it is 
the most efficacious drug we have for this disease. It must be 
administered boldly, ^ of a grain of the extract frequently re- 
peated may be injected under the skin ; or if physostigmine itself 
is preferred, the salicylate may be given subcutaneously in doses 
of -g 1 ^ to ^ grain, or 1 to 6TTI of a solution of 1 grain of the phy- 
sostigmine salicylate in 160ITI of water. The sulphate may be 
used in the same doses. Physostigmine has been given as an 
antidote for strychnine poisoning. 

Eye. — A solution of physostigmine salicylate is dropped in 
the eye to break up adhesions of the iris, to diminish intra-ocular 
tension, and to prevent prolapse of the iris after wounds or ulcers 
of the cornea. It is also employed in glaucoma, in paralysis 
of the iris and ciliary muscles, and to prevent the entrance of 
light into the eye in photophobia. If used in solution, y 2 to 
2 gr. of the physostigmine salicylate to %). of water is the usual 
strength. 

Antagonisms. 

It will be observed that in its actions on the pupil, on secretion, on the 
heart, and on respiration, Physostigmine is antagonistic to Atropine. In its 
action on the spinal cord and respiratory center it is antagonistic to Strychnine. 

GELSEMIUM. 

GELSEMIUM. — [Synonym. — Yellow Jasmine. The rhizome and 
roots of Gelsemium sempervirens (Linne) Persoon (nat. ord. Loganiacece) . 
Habitat. — Southern United States. 



GELSEMIUM. 337 

Characters. — Cylindrical, long, or cut in sections, mostly from 5 to 15 
mm. and occasionally 3 cm. thick, the roots much thinner; externally light 
yellowish-brown, with purplish -brown, longitudinal lines; tough; fracture 
splintery ; bark thin, with silky bast-fibres, closely adhering to the pale yellow- 
ish, porous wood, which has fine, medullary rays, and in the rhizome a thin 
pith ; odor aromatic, heavy ; taste bitter. ] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Gelsemine, C 54 H 69 N 4 I2 , 
a colorless, with difficulty crystallizable, bitter alkaloid, soluble in Alcohol and 
Ether, sparingly in water. (2) [Gelseminine, a brown, amorphous, bitter 
alkaloid. (3) Gelseminic Acid. (4) A volatile oil. 

Dose, 5 to 10 gr. Of Gelsemine, ^ to ^ gr. 

Preparations. 

1. Extractum Gelsemii Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Gelse- 
mium. By maceration and percolation with Alcohol and evaporation. 

Dose, 5 to 10 m. 

2. Tinctura Gelsemii. — Tincture of Gelsemium. Gelsemium, 
150; by maceration and percolation with Alcohol, to 1000. 

Dose, % to 1 fl. dr.] 

Action. 

External. — None. 

Internal. — Gelsemium produces no effect on the stomach or 
intestines. 

Brain. — In poisoning by gelsemium consciousness is main- 
tained till the end ; the drug, therefore, has no power on the 
higher cerebral centers. 

Spinal cord. — The most marked symptom produced by gelse- 
mium is paralysis of all the muscles of the body ; and by a 
series of experiments, like those used for strychnine, this can be 
shown to be due to depression of the activity of the ante- 
rior cornua of the spinal cord. This is said to be followed by a 
depression of the sensory part of the cord, with consequent 
anaesthesia. The motor nerves and muscles are quite unaffected, 
even till death. The result of this action on the cord is that the 
patient may be unable to walk, or if he can, the gait is staggering ; 
his general sensibility is much impaired. Convulsions may be 
produced. The cause of these cannot be made out, for they 
appear to be neither cerebral, spinal, nor peripheral. 
29 



33^ ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Eye. — Gelsemium soon causes disturbance of vision, then fol- 
lows diplopia, due to paralysis of the ocular muscles, and 
from the same cause the upper lid drops. The pupil is dilated. 
All these symptoms are probably owing to the paralysis of the 
motor cells in the floor of the fourth ventricle and the aqueduct 
of Sylvius, for these are the continuation upwards of the anterior 
cornual cells. 

Circulation. — The action of moderate doses is not marked. 
Toxic doses are powerfully depressant ; the force and rate of the 
pulse and the blood-pressure fall. This is owing to a direct 
action on the heart. How far these effects are due also to affec- 
tion of the medullary and spinal centres is not known. 

Respiration. — Soon after the administration of gelsemium the 
respiration becomes slower and more feeble ; ultimately it stops, 
death taking place by asphyxia. This is due to paralysis of the 
respiratory centres in the cord and medulla. Before death the 
temperature falls, and the skin is bathed in a cold sweat. 

Therapeutics. 

Gelsemium was formerly given as a circulatory depressant, but 
it is not now used, as its other effects are so harmful. Nor is it 
any longer prescribed for convulsive diseases, as tetanus, whoop- 
ing-cough, chorea, etc., as it was not found to do any good. It 
is occasionally used for neuralgia and migraine ; how it acts is 
quite uncertain ; the dose must be pushed, and often the drug 
fails. Sometimes it is employed to dilate the pupil and paralyze 
accommodation. It will do this when applied locally, for it is 
quickly absorbed from the eye. It has the advantage that its 
influence passes off rapidly. Discs [of gelatin], each containing 
5iro & r - gelsemine, are made for application to the eye. 

CONIUM. 

CONIUM. — \_Synonym. — Hemlock. The full grown fruit of Conium 
maculatum, Linne (nat. ord. Umbelliferce) , gathered while yet green. Habitat. 
— Europe and Asia ; naturalized in North America. 

Characters. — About 3 mm. long; broadly ovate, laterally compressed; 
grayish-green; often divided into the two mericarps, each with five crenate 



conium. 339 

ribs, without oil-tubes, and containing a seed which is grooved on the face ; 
odor and taste slight.] Resei?ibling conium fruit. — Caraway, anise, dill, all 
known by having vittse [(oil-tubes)]. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (i) Conine, C 8 H n N, the 
active principle; [a colorless, oily, volatile alkaloid, of a disagreeable odor 
and acrid taste]. Solubility. — In ioo parts of water. It is easily obtained 
from the plant by distillation with alkalies. It is readily decomposed by light 
and heat, and the preparations of Conium are therefore of very varying 
strengths. Its salts are much more stable. (2) Methylconine, C 8 H ]9 CN. A 
colorless, liquid alkaloid. (3) Conydrine, a nearly inert crystallizable alkaloid. 
(4) Conic acid. 

Imcompatibles. — Caustic alkalies, vegetable acids, and astringents. 

Dose, 2 to 5 gr. 

Preparations. 

1. [Extractum Conii. — Extract of Conium. By maceration and 
percolation with diluted Alcohol and Acetic Acid, and evaporation. 

Dose, ^ to 1 gr. 

2. Extractum Conii Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Conium. By 
maceration and percolation with diluted Alcohol and Acetic Acid, and 
evaporation. 

Dose, 2 to 5 m.] 

Action. 

External. — Conine has no influence on the unbroken skin, 
but it has been thought to be anaesthetic when applied to painful 
broken surfaces. This is doubtful, for, in the first place, we have 
no proof that it can be absorbed from sores ; and, secondly, ex- 
periments show that enormous doses have to be given to depress 
the activity of sensory nerves. 

Internal. — Gastro-intestinal tract. — It has no special action 
here, but it may occasionally give rise to vomiting and diarrhoea. 

Circulation. — Conine is absorbed into the blood, and circu- 
lates unchanged. As it paralyzes the terminations of the vagus 
it probably increases the rapidity of the cardiac beat, but this 
subject has not yet been satisfactorily worked out. 

Nervous system. — Nerves. — It is on these that conine and 
methylconine, the active principles of conium, chiefly act. 
.Conine is much the more energetic. It powerfully depresses 
the functional activity of all the motor nerves in the body. 
This depression begins at their periphery, and gradually ascends 



340 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

till the whole nerve, from the periphery to the spinal cord, is 
incapable of responding to stimuli. This leads to paralysis of 
all the muscles of the body as far as voluntary and reflex motion 
is concerned, but they themselves are unaffected, retaining their 
irritability to local stimuli. The sensory nerves are not impli- 
cated unless the dose is very large; then their conducting power 
is slightly impaired. 

Spinal cord. — This remains uninfluenced till quite late; then, 
if poisonous doses have been given, the function of its motor 
cells is feebly depressed, as is also that of the respiratory centre 
in the medulla. As methylconine inhibits the reflex activity of 
the spinal cord earlier than conine, the exact period at which 
this effect comes on varies with different preparations. 

Brain. — Except for the respiratory centre the whole of the 
brain is unaffected by conine. Consciousness is preserved until 
the stage of asphyxia. 

Eye. — Conine, when dropped into the eye, causes immediate 
contraction of the pupil reflexly from the conjunctival irritation. 
But soon the pupil dilates, and accommodation is paralyzed; 
the same usually happens when the drug is given internally. 
Probably these results are owing to paralysis of the terminal por- 
tions* of the third nerve, for well-marked ptosis, which is due to 
this cause, is present. 

Respiration. — Owing to the profound paralysis of all the 
motor nerves, and the later depression of the respiratory centre 
and motor part of the cord, death takes place from enfeeblement 
of respiration and consequent asphyxia. 

Conine is excreted unchanged, chiefly in the urine. 

Therapeutics. 

External.— Conium has been applied to painful ulcers and 
sores, but it is, for the reasons already given, doubtful whether it 
produces any good effect. It has also been employed for myalgia 
and rheumatism, but it is quite useless. 

Internal. — Conium is rarely given as a medicine for (a) the 
amount of conine extracted by any preparation is very variable; 



TOBACCO. 341 

(&) the amount of metbylconine present is also very uncertain; 
(r) conine is very volatile; (d) it is unstable, light and air making 
it inert. For these reasons it is probable that often the pharma- 
copceial preparations contain no conine at all. Ounces of the 
succus [B. P., which is the expressed juice of the leaves and young 
branches, to which 25 per cent, of alcohol has been added], and 
which is believed to be the most reliable preparation, have fre- 
quently been swallowed without producing any effects. The 
preparations of the fruit are said by some to be more reliable 
than those of the leaves. Conium has been given in spasmodic 
diseases, as whooping-cough, in chorea, tetanus, asthma, and 
epilepsy, but in all it does little or no good. 

Toxicology. 

The symptoms produced by a poisonous dose are in strict accordance with 
the physiological action. The sufferer feels his legs to be heavy; on attempting 
to walk he staggers, and finds he can hardly move them, and finally he has to 
lie down because he has no power over them. The arms become powerless, 
and lie motionless at his side. There is ptosis, and dimness of vision from 
paralysis of accommodation; the eyes are fixed, the pupil is dilated. Swallow- 
ing becomes difficult. Respiration is labored, the voice is lost, and death takes 
place from asphyxia. Post-mortem. — The organs are found congested with 
venous blood. 

Treatment. — Emetics (see p. 79), and wash out the stomach. Give Tannic 
Acid and again wash it out. Stimulants subcutaneously, warmth to the feet, 
and artificial respiration [are necessary]. 

TABACUM. 

TABACUM. — [Tobacco. The commercial, dried leaves of Nicotiana 
Tabacum (nat. ord. Solancece). Habitat. — Tropical America; cultivated. 

Characters. — Up to 50 cm. long, oval or ovate-lanceolate, acute, entire, 
brown, friable, glandular-hairy, of a heavy, peculiar odor, and a nauseous, 
bitter, and acrid taste.] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Nicotine, [C 10 H U N 2 (0.7 to 
5, sometimes II per cent.)]. A colorless, volatile, oily alkaloid, smelling and 
tasting like Tobacco leaves, darkening with age. Solubility. — Soluble in water, 
more so in Alcohol and Ether. Turkish Tobacco contains hardly any. (2) 
Nicotianin, a Camphor. The existence of this body has been denied. (3) 
Salts and flavoring agents. 

Nicotine is decomposed by heat, consequently Tobacco smoke contains 



34 2 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

none, but consists of small quantities of various Pyridine compounds, as Pyri- 
dine C 5 H 5 N, Picoline C 6 H 7 N, Lutidine C 7 H 9 N, Collidine C 8 H U N, [Parvoline 
C 9 H 13 N, Coridine C 10 H 15 N, Rubidine C n H 17 N,] and small amounts of 
Hydrocyanic and Acetic Acids, Creosote, Sulphur, and Carbon compounds. 

Action. 

Tobacco leaves, when taken internally, act entirely by virtue 
of their nicotine, which is one of the most powerful and 
rapid poisons known. 

External. — Nicotine is an antiseptic. 

Internal. — Gastro-intestinal tract. — Nicotine in even minute 
doses (^ gr.) promptly produces symptoms of intense gastro- 
intestinal irritation. They are greatly increased salivary 
flow, burning pain in the mouth, oesophagus and stomach, hor- 
rible nausea, quickly succeeded by vomiting and free purging. 
The marked characteristic of this gastro-intestinal irritation is the 
extreme collapse which accompanies it. Thus there are a 
rapid, very feeble pulse, intense muscular weakness, laborious 
respiration, partial loss of consciousness, occasional convulsions, 
icy extremities, and profound general collapse. A dose of nico- 
tine has been known to kill in three minutes. 

Circulation. — Nicotine disintegrates the red blood-corpuscles 
of freshly drawn blood, but has not this effect upon living blood, 
although the spectrum of haemoglobin is altered, so that the 
corpuscles must be in some way affected. The action on the 
heart is obscure ; the muscle itself is unaffected, but the rapid- 
running, feeble pulse shows that some part of the cardiac appa- 
ratus is powerfully influenced. The blood-pressure falls rapidly ; 
we are ignorant as to whether this is entirely due to the action 
of nicotine on the heart. 

Respiration. — This is paralyzed, how is not known. Death 
is partly due to asphyxia. 

Nervous system. — The cerebrum is probably very little affected 
by nicotine. The convulsions occasionally observed in man, and 
always in the frog, are due to spinal stimulation. All observers 
are agreed that ultimately the function of the motor nerves 
is entirely abolished. This explains the intense muscular 



coca. 343 

weakness. Probably the sensory nerves, and certainly the mus- 
cles, escape. 

Eye. —A toxic dose taken internally, or the local application 
of nicotine to the eye-, contracts the pupil. This will occur 
in excised eyes, and is therefore a local effect. It is most likely 
due both to paralysis [of the] sympathetic and irritation of the 
third nerve. 

Elimination. — Nicotine is probably eliminated in the urine, 
the secretion of which it increases. 

Therapeutics. 

Tobacco is never used therapeutically. Formerly it was em- 
ployed in the form of an enema of leaves to relax muscular 
spasm, so as to facilitate the reduction of dislocations. This 
enema was also sometimes given as a purgative. [Pyridine, ad- 
ministered by inhalation, is a very valuable remedy for the 
symptom asthma. It will sometimes relieve angina pectoris, 
because it is a vaso-dilator.] 

Tobacco smoking, in those who are unaccustomed to it, pro- 
duces, to a greater or less degree, the symptoms of gastrointes- 
tinal irritation and collapse just mentioned. Even in those who 
are used to it the smoke may produce catarrh of the pharynx. 
Some persons find smoking after breakfast assists the daily action 
of the bowels. With many people it has an obscure effect, espe- 
cially among those who lead sedentary lives, in stimulating the 
brain and producing a peaceable, calm state of mind. Over- 
indulgence in it may lead to loss of appetite and atrophy of the 
optic nerve. 

COCA. 

COCA. [Synonyms. — Erythroxylon, Cuca. The leaves of Erythroxylon 
Coca, Lamarck (nat ord. Linece). Habitat. — Peru and Bolivia; cultivated. 

Characters. — Varying between ovate, lanceolate, and obov ate- oblong, 
and from 2 to 5 or 7 cm. in length ; short-petiolate, entire, rather obtuse or 
emarginate at the apex, slightly reticulate on both sides, with a prominent mid- 
rib, and on each side of it a curved line running from base to apex ; odor slight 
and tea-like ; taste somewhat aromatic and bitter. When chewed, it tempo- 
rarily benumbs the lips and tongue.] 



344 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Composition. — It contains three alkaloids, viz., (i) Cocaine, 0.2 per 
cent. ; (2) Ecgonine; ; (3) Hygrine, which is aromatic. Also (4) Coca tannin 
and (5) Coca wax. Different specimens vary very much in strength of cocaine. 
Fresh specimens are stronger than those that have been kept. 

Dose, 1 to 4 dr. of the leaves infused in hot water. 

Preparation. 
Extractum [Cocae Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Coca. By ma- 
ceration and percolation with diluted Alcohol, and evaporation. 
Dose, 1 to 4 fl. dr.] 

COCAINE HYDROCHLORAS.- Cocaine Hydrochlorate. C 17 H 21 
N0 4 HC1 [= 338 71. The hydrochlorate of an alkaloid obtained from Coca.] 

Source — Agitate with Ether an aqueous solution of an acidulated Alco- 
holic extract, made alkaline with Sodium Carbonate ; separate and evaporate 
the Ethereal liquid ; purify by repetition ; decolorize, neutralize with Hydro- 
chloric Acid, and recrystallize. 

Characters. — Colorless, [transparent crystals, or a white, crystalline pow- 
der, without odor ; of a saline, slightly bitter taste and producing upon the 
tongue a tingling sensation followed by numbness of some minutes' duration. 
Permanent in the air. Solubility. — In 0.48 part of water, and in 3.5 parts of 
Alcohol; also soluble in 2800 parts of Ether, or in 17 parts of Chloroform. 

Dose, l /% to 2 gr.] 

Action. 

External. — Cocaine has no action on the unbroken skin, 
but if injected subcutaneously or applied to mucous membranes 
— as, for example, those of the eye, nose, mouth, rectum, vagina 
— it produces complete local anaesthesia, so that small 
operations can be performed without the patient feeling them. 
A 5 or 10 per cent, solution of the hydrochlorate is strong- 
enough to thus paralyze the sensory nerves. Much larger doses 
must be applied to motor nerves to paralyze them. 

Internal. — Gastro-intestinal tract. — When cocaine is taken 
internally, the gastric mucous membrane experiences its anaes- 
thetic influence. Therefore the sensation of hunger is deadened, 
and persons taking cocaine can go a long time without feeling 
the want of food ; but the drug is not a food, for the body rap- 
idly wastes. Because of its local anaesthetic effect it sometimes 
stops vomiting. Very large doses, by paralyzing the intestines, 
lead to constipation. 






coca. 345 

Circulation. — Probably cocaine has [but] little direct effect 
upon the circulation, but the vagus is somewhat depressed, and 
therefore the pulse quickens ; larger doses slow it from stimula- 
tion of the vagus. 

Respiration. — It acts upon the respiratory centre, first stimu- 
lating it, so that the rapidity and depth of respiration are in- 
creased ; but soon depression of the center follows, the respira- 
tory movements become feeble, and death takes place from 
asphyxia. 

Nervous system. — Cerebrum. — Moderate doses greatly in- 
crease the bodily and mental power, and give a sense of 
calm and happiness. This greater physical energy renders pos- 
sible the performance of long, exhausting muscular feats. For 
this, and for the extreme sense of peace produced, coca leaves 
mixed with clay or ashes are chewed by thousands of the inhabi- 
tants of Peru and the neighboring countries. It is said that 
forty million pounds of the leaves are annually harvested. An 
excessive indulgence in the habit of coca-chewing leads to indi- 
gestion, extreme emaciation, insomnia and enfeeblement of in- 
tellect. In animals coca causes cerebral convulsions. 

Spinal cord. — The effect of cocaine on this is obscure. Large 
doses are depressant. The action on nerves has been already 
mentioned. As a rule, muscles are unaffected. 

Eye. — When a solution of cocaine is dropped into the eye 
there is first a transitory contraction of the pupil. This is prob- 
ably due to reflex action, and soon it gives way to wide dilata- 
tion. The maximum is attained in an hour or two. The nor- 
mal state is regained in from twelve to twenty-four hours. The 
dilated pupil is feebly responsive to light, and the dilatation is 
rapidly overcome by physostigmine. The ocular tension is 
slightly lowered. Accommodation is partially, but never com- 
pletely paralyzed. These effects are due to irritation of the 
sympathetic, and as they are quickly produced by dropping 
the drug in the eye they are probably local. 

Temperature. — This may rise in cocaine poisoning. 

Kidneys. — Cocaine is most likely excreted by these organs. 
30 



346 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Its influence on the quality and composition of the urine is not 
known. 

Therapeutics. 

External. — A 5 to 10 per cent, solution of the hydrochlo- 
rate may be injected subcutaneously as a local anaesthetic when 
any small operation has to be performed. Solutions, painted or 
dropped on, may be used for operations on the mouth, eye, ear, 
throat, teeth, vagina, urethra and rectum, and they may be ap- 
plied to any of these parts when they are very painful. Cocaine 
will relieve vaginal pruritus, and has been used locally applied 
in the nose in hay fever. Painful ulcers, fissures, etc., are 
beneficially treated with it. Ophthalmic surgeons employ it very 
largely to produce local anaesthesia of the eye for surgical opera- 
tions. 

Internal. — Mouth. — A solution is useful for painting or spray- 
ing on the throat previous to laryngeal examinations. Lozenges 
of the hydrochlorate, containing 1-12 of a grain in each, are 
valuable for painful sore throat. 

Stomach. — Cocaine in some cases allays excessive vomiting, 
and has been said to cure sea-sickness. 

It is not often used in Europe as a medicine for its restorative 
effects; as already mentioned, it is not a food, and the good it 
does is only temporary. 

[PILOCARPUS. 

PILOCARPUS.— Sj'ttony m.—]aborandi. The leaflets of Pilocarpus 
Selloanas Engler (Rio Janeiro Jaborandi), and of Pilocarpus Jaborandi, 
Holmes (Pernambuco Jaborandi), (nat. ord. Rutacece). Habitat. — Brazil, near 
Pernambuco.] 

Characters. — [About 10 to 15 cm. long, and 4 to 6 cm. broad, short- 
stalked, oval or ovate- oblong, entire and slightly revolute at the margin, obtuse 
and emarginate, unequal at the base ; dull green, coriaceous, pellucid-punctate, 
mostly smooth ; when bruised, slightly aromatic ; taste somewhat bitter and 
pungent.] 

Impurities. — Leaves of species of Piper, not oval-oblong. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) A liquid, colorless, alka- 
loid, Pilocarpine C n H, 6 N. 2 2 , }( to ]/ 2 per cent. (2) Jaborine [Q 2 H 32 N 4 4 ], 
an'alkaloid resembling in its physiological action Atropine, and therefore antag- 



pilocarpus. 347 

onistic to Pilocarpine. (3) \_Pilocarpidine, C 10 H u N 2 O 2 , action weaker than 
Pilocarpine.] (4) A volatile oil [chiefly Pilocarpene, C 10 H 16 ]. (5) A peculiar 
acid. These active principles are soluble in Alcohol, but only imperfectly so in 
water. 

Dose, 5 to 60 gr. 

Preparation. 

Extractum Pilocarpi Fluidum, — [Fluid Extract of Pilocarpus. 
By maceration and percolation with diluted Alcohol ; evaporation. 
Dose, 5 to 60 m.] 

PILOCARPINE HYDROCHLORAS.— [Pilocarpine Hydrochlo- 
rate. C n H 16 N 2 2 HCl = 243.98. The hydrochlorate of an alkaloid obtained 
from Pilocarpus. 

SOURCE. — Obtained by exhausting Pilocarpus with Alcohol acidulated 
with Hydrochloric Acid, distillation and evaporation. The filtrate is treated 
with a slight excess of Ammonia, and a large quantity of Chloroform. The 
solution is agitated with water, to which Hydrochloric Acid is added to neu- 
tralize. The Hydrochlorate is obtained on evaporation in crystals which are 
purified by re-crystallization. 

Characters. — Small, white crystals, odorless, and having a faintly bitter 
taste; deliquescent on exposure to damp air. Solubility. — Very soluble in 
water and in Alcohol ; almost insoluble in Ether or Chloroform. 

Dose, y s to j4 gr.] 

Action. 

External. — None. 

Internal. — Gastro-intestinal tract. — Pilocarpine is very 
quickly absorbed, and soon produces a great increase in the 
amount of salivary secretion. The mouth seems warm, 
and there may be a feeling of tenderness about the salivary 
glands. The saliva contains an abundance of salts and ptyalin. 
and can convert starch into sugar. Its increase is due to a direct 
stimulation of the filaments of the chorda tympani and other 
nerves which end in the cells of the salivary glands, so that stimu- 
lation of these nerves can add very little to the flow produced 
by the drug — in fact, not more than can be accounted for by 
vascular alterations. This action is antagonized immediately by 
belladonna, as that paralyzes the endings of these nerves. To a 
slight extent pilocarpine excites the secretion of the gastric juice 
and intestinal fluid. The unstriped muscle of the stomach and 
intestine is stimulated, and thus the drug may purge. The bile 



348 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

is unaffected. Large doses, especially of [pilocarpus], may pro- 
duce vomiting. 

Circulation. — Pilocarpine has no effect on the blood, but it is 
a cardiac depressant. The pulse-rate, it is true, may be, and 
in the human being always is, a little accelerated at first, but 
soon both it and the blood-pressure fall. This slowing of the 
pulse is at once set aside by atropine, but is not prevented by sec- 
tion of the vagus, therefore pilocarpine acts on the heart itself, 
probably stimulating the terminations of the vagus. The blood- 
vessels are at first dilated. 

Respiration — The drug has no effect on this. This amount 
of bronchial secretion is increased. 

Skin. — [Pilocarpus], through its alkaloid pilocarpine, produces 
a very profuse secretion of sweat. Jt is the most powerful 
diaphoretic drug we have. A single dose may cause the flow of 
fifteen fluid ounces of sweat. It is said that the proportion of 
urea and chlorides in the sweat is greatly increased. This pro- 
fuse diaphoresis is due to the action of the pilocarpine on the cells 
of the sweat-glands, or the terminations of the nerves in them, 
and is stopped by atropine. The skin may flush, but this is not 
the cause of the diaphoresis. Under a course of [pilocarpus] 
the hair grows more actively, but it becomes very coarse and 
dark. 

Kidneys. — If the sweating is profuse, the secretion of urine is 
lessened, but repeated small doses of pilocarpine lead to slight 
diuresis. It is excreted unchanged in the urine. 

Temperature. — There may be a slight rise at first, but soon 
the temperature falls considerably. ■ This is probably due in large 
part to the evaporation of the perspiration. 

Eye. — Whether applied locally to the eye or given internally, 
pilocarpine produces great contraction of the pupil, due to 
stimulation of the ends of the third nerve in the eye, and this is 
antagonized by atropine. It also causes increased tension of the 
eyeball, and an approximation of the near and far points of 
distinct vision. 

Other actions. — It stimulates the uterus, and has in very rare 



pilocarpus. 349 

cases produced abortion. It increases the secretion of milk, of 
tears, of nasal mucus, and, according to some authors, that of 
cerumen. It causes the spleen and bladder to contract. 

It will be noticed that it has two main actions, (i) It stimu- 
lates the secretions — viz., those of the salivary glands, stomach, 
intestines, skin, kidney, bronchial mucous membrane, nose, 
lachrymal glands, and ear. In those that have been investigated, 
and probably in all, it acts locally. It has not been decided in 
every case whether the cells of the glands or the nerve termina- 
tions in them are affected. (2) It stimulates the nerve termina- 
tions of involuntary muscles — viz., in the eye, the intestines, the 
stomach, the uterus, the spleen, the heart, the bladder, and it acts 
on the muscular coat of the vessels, although these, if affected, 
are usually dilated. The most important effects are the diapho- 
resis, the salivation, and the myosis. It is consequently antago- 
nistic in its action to belladonna. Children bear large doses of 
it well. Pilocarpine is much more used than [pilocarpus], as it is 
more prompt and more certain in its action, and is less likely to 
cause indigestion. 

Jaborine has an action similar to that of atropine ; the amount 
of it in [pilocarpus] varies, hence the varying effects of different 
specimens of the leaves, but there is never enough to totally coun- 
teract the pilocarpine. 

Therapeutics. 

Pilocarpine has been employed for many conditions, but its 
great use is as a diaphoretic in Bright's disease. For this purpose 
yi of a grain or more of the hydrochlorate is injected subcuta- 
neously in the evening. The sweating is aided by wrapping the 
patient, who should be naked, in several warm blankets, and put- 
ting a hot-water bottle to his feet. After the sweating has ceased, 
he should be dried and left in a dry blanket. As it is such a 
powerful cardiac depressant, it must be given with great caution 
when the heart is diseased. Occasionally it is employed locally 
in affections of the eye. Patients suffering from deafness due to 
disease of the auditory nerve or its terminations are sometimes 
relieved by pilocarpine. Injected subcutaneously, it has been 
given successfully as an antidote to belladonna poisoning. 



350 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

GROUP II. 

Vegetable Drugs, whose main Action is on the Heart. 

Class I. — The digitalis group, decreasing the frequency and increasing 
the force of the beat of the heart : 

Digitalis, [Strophanthus, Convallaria,] Squill, [Sparteine Sulphate.] 

Class II, — The Aconite group, decreasing the frequency and decreasing 
the force of the beat of the heart : 

Aconite, Veratrum Viride, [Veratrina]. 

DIGITALIS. 

DIGITALIS. — [Synonym. — Foxglove. The leaves of Digitalis Pur- 
purea Linne" (nat. ord. Scrophularinece), collected from plants of the second 
year's growth. Habitat. — Europe, in sandy soil and the edges of woods. 

Characters. — From 10 to 30 cm. long, ovate or ovate oblong, narrowed 
into a petiole ; crenate ; dull green, densely and finely pubescent; wrinkled 
above ; paler and reticule beneath ; midrib near the base broad ; odor slight ; 
somewhat tea-lik e ; taste bitter nauseous.] Resembling Digitalis leaves. — Matico 
leaves, which are more deeply reticulated. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Digitoxin, a glucoside, 
crystallizable, the most active principle, very poisonous, cumulative. Insoluble 
in water, sparingly in Ether, soluble in Alcohol or Chloroform. (2) Digitalin, 
a crystalline glucoside sparingly soluble in water and Ether. (3) Digital ein, 
an amorphous glucoside, soluble in water, and therefore suitable for hypoder- 
matic injections; dose hypodermatically yl^ gr., said to be non-cumulative. 
These three glucosides are said to represent the cardiac stimulating action of the 
drug. (4) Digitonin, [C 27 H 44 ]3 ,] a glucoside closely allied both chemically 
and physiologically to, and perhaps identical with, the Saponin of Senega 
(a. v.). Dose, -g-^ to yA-^ gr. This is a cardiac depressant, and is therefore 
antagonistic to the other three glucosides. (5) Digitin, a substance devoid of 
physiological action. All these five bodies are non-nitrogenous. (6) Two 
acids, Digitalic and Antirrhinic. (7) Other usual constituents of plants, as 
tannin, volatile oil, coloring matter, starch, sugar, gum, salts. It will be noticed 
that Digitalis contains no Alkaloids. 

The two following substances are met with in commerce : (A) Homolle's 
Digitalin (same as Quevenne's Digitalin), an amorphous whitish powder or 
small scales, intensely bitter, inodorous, but irritating to the nostrils. Soluble 
in 2000 parts of water. Consists chiefly of Digitalin with a little Digitoxin. 
Possesses the action of the leaves. Granules of it are much used in France ; 
ea,ch usually contains -fe of a grain, which is equal to I y£ g r « of the powdered 



DIGITALIS. 351 

leaves. (B) Nativelle's Digitalin, [C 25 H 40 O 15 ,] light white crystalline tufts of 
needles, very bitter. Soluble in Chloroform and in Alcohol, not in water or 
Ether. It consists very largely of Digitoxin, and is cumulative. Dose, ^ to 

To § r - in a P m - 

Incompatibles. — Ferric Salts, Lead Acetate, Cinchona. 
Dose y z to 3 gr. 

Preparations. 

1. Extractum Digitalis. — [Extract of Digitalis. By maceration 
and percolation with Alcohol and water, distillation of the Alcohol, and 
evaporation. 

Dose, % to 1 gr. 

2. Extractum Digitalis Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Digitalis. 
By maceration and percolation with Alcohol and water, and evaporation. 

Dose, y 2 to 3 m. 

3. Infusum Digitalis. — Infusion of Digitalis. Digitalis, 15 ; Cin- 
namon Water, 150; boiling water, 260; Alcohol, 100; cold water to 1000. 

Dose, 1 to 4 fl. dr.] (note that it is drachms, not ounces). 

4. Tinctura Digitalis. — [Tincture of Digitalis. Digitalis, 150; 
diluted Alcohol to 1 000. By maceration and percolation. 

Dose, 5 to 30 m.] 

As the proportion of the many constituents varies in the preparations, 
some prefer always to give the powdered leaves. The infusion contains Digi- 
tonin and not much Digitoxin, the tincture contains both Digitalin and Digitoxin. 

Action. 

External.— The leaves .-are slightly irritating, but it is doubt- 
ful whether any of their constituents can be absorbed by the 
skin. 

Internal. — Gastro-intestinal tract. — Digitalis is a mild 
gastro-intestinal irritant, and even moderate doses cause 
vomiting and diarrhoea in some people. 

Blood. — It is rapidly absorbed ; it is not known to affect the 
blood. 

Heart. — The first action of digitalis is to slow the beat 
of the heart, the diastole is prolonged, the duration of the 
systole is not altered, but its force is greatly increased, so 
much so that after large doses the heart may, in animals, be seen 
to become pale, because every drop of blood is squeezed out of 



352 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

it, The pulse is consequently increased in force, but retarded. 
If before the drug was given the heart was beating irregularly, it 
generally becomes regular. If a larger dose is given, it is 
observed that the intense systolic contraction is not uniform all 
over the organ. The auricles and ventricles do not beat syn- 
chronously ; and even one portion — as the apex, for example— of 
the ventricle may remain spasmodically contracted during the 
diastole of the rest of the ventricle. This causes the heart to 
assume hour-glass and other curious shapes. Finally it is arrested 
in systole, and is firmly contracted, quite pale, and unable to 
respond to any mechanical or electrical stimuli. This account is 
true for all animals, except that sometimes in dogs and men the 
heart finally stops in diastole. 

That these phenomena are chiefly due to the direct action 
of the drug on the cardiac muscles is shown by the fact that 
digitalis not only acts when applied locally to the heart, but will 
even increase the force of the contraction, when applied to the 
isolated apex in which it is believed no nerves exist. But the 
inhibitory activity of the cardiac peripheral end of the vagus is 
increased ; for a mild stimulation of the vagi, which, before the 
drug was given had no effect, will after the drug is given stop the 
heart, and in warm-blooded animals digitalis does not very mark- 
edly retard the pulse, if the vagi have been cut, although it 
increases the force of the cardiac beat. Possibly to a slight extent 
the vagus centre in the medulla is stimulated, but the main action 
of digitalis is to excite the cardiac muscle itself and the cardiac 
inhibitory terminations of the vagus. Digitalis has been thought 
to affect the ganglia of the heart, but there is no satisfactory evi- 
dence of this. 

It has been proved that even small doses actually increase 
the amount of work done by the heart in a given time. 

Vessels. — Moderate doses of digitalis produce a great rise 
in the blood-pressure. This is partly due to the greater 
cardiac force, but not entirely, for in the web of the frog's foot 
and the rabbit's mesentery the arterioles have been observed to 
contract vigorously when digitalis has been given. As this still 



DIGITALIS. 353 

occurs in arterioles quite separated from the body, and through 
which an artificial circulation of blood containing digitalis is 
carried on, it is clear that the drug contracts the arterioles by 
direct action on their muscular coat. But as the con- 
traction is greater in an intact animal than in one whose spinal 
cordis destroyed, or in whom the nerves going to the part experi- 
mented upon are divided, it is clear that digitalis also stimulates 
the medullary and spinal vaso-motor centres. With toxic 
doses the irritation of the centres and of the muscular coat of 
the arterioles passes on to depression, and the blood-pressure 
falls. 

Kidney. — The effect of digitalis on the kidney is very uncer- 
tain. Most experimenters have found that in health it is diuretic, 
but some have not, and the same discrepancy in its action on the 
kidney exists in patients with heart disease, but generally in these 
cases it is a diuretic. The reasons for these discrepancies are 
that if the arterial vessels are, like the rest of the vessels in the 
body, tightly contracted by the drug, very little blood will come 
to the kidney, and very little urine will be secreted ; but if the 
digitalis does not constrict the renal vessels markedly, the in- 
creased cardiac force and the general rise of blood-pressure will 
send more blood through the kidney and more urine will be 
secreted. Some observers state that digitalin and digitoxin have 
a special effect in relaxing the vessels of the kidney. If this is 
so, the question is still more complicated, for then the diuretic 
influence of digitalis will depend largely upon the particular 
preparation which is given. The truth probably is, that with a 
small dose of digitalis or, in the first stage of a large one, the 
vessels of the kidney, like those of the rest of the body are con- 
tracted, and the flow of urine is diminished; but the renal 
arterioles, being the first in the body to suffer from the subse- 
quent arterial relaxation, dilate while the general blood-pressure 
is still high, and then digitalis acts as a powerful diuretic. We 
have no certain knowledge of the effect of digitalis on the consti- 
tution of the urine. 

Temperature. — Moderate doses have no influence on the tern- 



354 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

perature, but toxic doses cause it to fall even in health. The 
reason of this is unknown. 

Resph-ation. — This is unaffected by digitalis unless poisonous 
doses have been given, when it begins to fail from the imperfect 
circulation through the respiratory mechanism. 

Nervous system and muscles. — Medicinal doses have no 
marked influence. Large doses will, because of the alterations 
in the cerebral circulation, cause headache, giddiness, and dis- 
turbances of sight and hearing. In many cases of poisoning all 
objects have appeared blue. 

The reflex activity of the cord and motor nerves is depressed 
independently of the action on the circulation ; sensory nerves 
are unaffected. Digitalis directly paralyzes muscles if given in 
toxic doses. 

Uterus. — This organ is said to be stimulated to contract by 
digitalis. 

Therapeutics. 

External. — Digitalis is [sometimes] used externally, [in the 
form of a poultice made from the leaves, and placed over the 
loins in cases of renal congestion]. 

Internal. — It is one of the most valuable drugs we have. It 
is chief!) given in cases of cardiac disorder. 

Mitral regurgitation. — If in any case of this variety of heart 
disease the organ is beating feebly, irregularly, and rapidly, 
digitalis in moderate doses will probably strengthen, regulate, 
and slow the beat. It will cause the left ventricle to contract 
more forcibly and to act synchronously in all its parts ; hence 
the mitral flaps will be better approximated, the regurgitation 
will be less, and more blood will be sent on into the arterial cir- 
culation. The prolonged diastole will also be of great advantage, 
for it will allow more time for the blood to flow from the dilated 
auricle, and from the right side of the heart and venous system 
generally, into the left ventricle. In mitral regurgitation, as is 
well known, venous engorgement and oedema of the lungs, of the 
right side of the heart, of the liver, the kidneys, and subcutaneous 
tissues is very common. Digitalis, by improving the venous flow 



DIGITALIS. 355 

towards the heart, will ameliorate all these symptoms. It might 
be supposed that by constricting all the peripheral arterioles it 
would impede the arterial flow, because the heart will have to 
contract against a greater peripheral resistance, but this disad- 
vantage is never enough to seriously hamper the increased cardiac 
power ; and it must be remembered that it is a great advantage 
to the circulation to have a proper peripheral arterial resistance, 
for without that, the elastic coat of the arteries cannot aid the 
arterial flow. If, as it usually does in these cases, digitalis acts 
as a diuretic, this will be of great value in removing the oedema, 
and in causing the scanty high-colored urine to become pale and 
abundant. The improvement in the circulation relieves the 
cardiac pain and distress which so commonly accompany mitral 
regurgitation, the lividity passes off, the dyspnoea decreases, and 
usually in a day or two a wonderful improvement in the patient's 
condition takes place. The more any case of mitral regurgita- 
tion deviates from the above cedematous type, the less good, as 
a rule, will digitalis do. Thus cases, in which there is much pain 
and distress and but little regurgitation, are not so often benefited, 
although even of such cases, many are improved. Sometimes the 
vomiting caused by digitalis prohibits its use. 

Mitral constriction. — In this condition it is obvious that it 
will be a great advantage to lengthen the diastole, for then there 
will be a greater chance that the diastole will be long enough to 
allow the normal amount of blood to pass through the constricted 
orifice. In proportion as this end is attained, the oedema, lividity, 
and other signs of backward venous congestion will be relieved. 
The increased force of the auricular contraction caused by digi- 
talis will help in the same direction, and if it induces diuresis, 
this is very valuable in aiding the reduction of the oedema. 

Diseases of the tricuspid valve. — In both tricuspid constriction 
and tricuspid regurgitation, digitalis will be beneficial in the same 
way as in similar affections of the mitral valve. 

Aortic regu?'gitation. — As a rule digitalis is harmful, for by 
prolonging the diastole more time is allowed for the blood to flow 
back through the imperfectly closed aortic orifice, and hence 



35^ ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

there is great danger of fatal syncope. The drug should only be 
given in cases of aortic regurgitation when the heart is very rapid, 
or when there is evidence that not much blood regurgitates, or 
when there are reasons, such as the coincident presence of aortic 
obstruction, for wishing to strengthen and regulate the contrac- 
tion. The dose must be small and the effects must be carefully 
watched. 

Aortic constriction. — This, unfortunately, is usually accom- 
panied by aortic regurgitation; but sometimes when it is wished 
to increase the force of the beat, and so to drive more blood 
through the constricted aortic orifice, digitalis is useful, or when, 
as a result of the obstruction, mitral dilatation and consequent 
regurgitation, with much pulmonary and venous engorgement, 
have set in. Many cases of pure aortic obstruction do not require 
drugs, for the heart hypertrophies sufficiently to overcome the 
obstruction. 

Bright 's disease. — Incases of contracted granular kidney in 
which the cardiac hypertrophy has been unable to overcome the 
peripheral resistance, and consequently the left ventricle and with 
it the auriculo-ventricular orifice has dilated, and mitral regurgi- 
tation has therefore ensued, digitalis may be of service for the 
reasons given on p. 353. A diuretic pill, often used for this con- 
dition, consists of calomel, digitalis, and squill, a grain of each, 
made up with extract of [hyoscyamus.] Otherwise in chronic 
Bright's disease, digitalis is not a suitable diuretic, for it raises the 
tension of the pulse, which is already high. In the earlier stages 
of acute Bright's disease it has been given as a diuretic, but it is 
questionable whether it is right to dilate the vessels of an acutely 
inflamed organ; further, digitalis is always, unless the heart is 
diseased, an uncertain diuretic, and even in the early stage of 
acute Bright's disease the arterial tension is somewhat raised. In 
chronic tubal nephritis, uncomplicated by cardiac disease, it is 
worse than useless, for it has no effect on the renal cells, and it 
raises the blood-pressure. 

Diseases of the cardiac muscle. — If the heart be fatty, digi- 
talis does no good; it is indeed said that there is danger of rup- 



DIGITALIS. 357 

ture of some of the softened fatty fibres. The weakly acting 
heart that is met with after pericarditis, typhoid fever, scarlet 
fever, rheumatism, and other acute diseases, even if no valvular 
defects are present, is markedly strengthened by digitalis. Each 
contraction is more efficient, and the prolonged diastole allows 
more time for the muscle to rest. It is clear that in the course 
of twenty-four hours this additional repose, although but little in 
each cycle, will amount to a considerable time. Many men who 
have practiced rowing or other hard exercise to excess, suffer from 
shortness of breath, and the apex of the heart is found to be a 
little outside the normal position, but there is no demonstrable 
valvular lesion. This condition, which also occurs in soldiers 
after a long campaign, is much benefited by digitalis. The dila- 
tation of the right side of the heart that so frequently accom- 
panies chronic disease of the lungs may be, but usually is not 
improved by digitalis. 

Functional disease\_s\ of the heart. — The irregular, palpitating 
beat, often seen apart from any organic disease, may be benefited 
markedly by digitalis ; but it must be remembered that this con- 
dition is commonly a result of indigestion, in which case the 
right treatment is, if possible, to cure the dyspepsia, and if 
digitalis is given at all, to do so cautiously, for it may excite in- 
digestion. The functional affections of the heart met with in 
highly neurotic subjects may be, but are not always benefited by 
digitalis. 

Exophthalmic goitre may improve under a long course of digi- 
talis, but generally this treatment fails. 

Hemorrhage. — Although digitalis contracts the arterioles it is 
not often given as a haemostatic, for the increased blood-pressure 
may lead to greater haemorrhage, but it may be useful in the pul- 
monary haemorrhage, due to disease of the mitral valve. 

Alcoholism. — Moderate doses of digitalis have been said to be 
serviceable in chronic alcoholism on account of their stimulating 
effect on the circulation. Enormous doses have been given 
empirically in delirium tremens, but generally without any good 
result. 



35^ ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Uterus. — Because of its power to contract the uterus, digitalis 
may be useful in menorrhagia. 

It is often desirable to combine fluid preparations of digitalis 
with salts of iron, the lesulting mixture, which is usually inky 
from the action of the iron on the tannin in the digitalis, can be 
clarified by the addition of a little diluted phosphoric acid. Be- 
cause of this difficulty the powdered digitalis leaves are often 
made into a pill with dried [ferrous] sulphate. 

Antagonisms. 

Antagonism between Digitalis and Aconite. — Aconite is a cardiac poison, 
weakening instead of strengthening the beat; it dilates the peripheral vessels, 
it lowers the blood-pressure, and after death the heart is ahvays found in a 
condition of diastole. In all these points it is antagonistic to Digitalis. The 
action of Aconite is very rapid, that of Digitalis very slow. Therefore these 
drugs are not practical antidotes to each other in poisoning. 

Scoparin is also physiologically antagonistic to Digitalis. 

Digitalis is cumulative. Patients who have taken it for a long while 
sometimes suddenly show symptoms of poisoning without any increase in the 
dose. This is because the drug is not excreted by the kidneys so fast as it is 
absorbed, therefore it accumulates in the body. 

STROPHANTHUS. 

[STROPHANTHUS.— The seed of Strophanthus hispidus De Candolle 
(nat. ord. Apocynace<z), deprived of its long awn. Habitat. — Tropical Africa. 

Characters. — About 15 mm. long and 4 or 5 mm. broad, oblong- 
lanceolate, flattened and obtusely edged, grayish-green, covered with appressed, 
silky hairs, one side with a ridge extending into the attenuated, pointed end; 
kernel white and oily, consisting of a straight embryo, having two thin cotyle- 
dons, and surrounded by a thin layer of perisperm; nearly inodorous; taste 
very bitter.] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1 ) Strophanthine [C 31 H 48 12 .] 
It exists in all parts of the plant, but mostly in the seeds. It is a transparent, 
white, imperfectly crystalline, bitter glucoside (being split up by acids into 
glucose and Strophanthidin). Soluble in water; insoluble in Chloroform and 
Ether. (2) Kombic Acid. (3) \_Ineine, an Alkaloid. (4) Tanghinin, C 27 H 40 O 8 , 
in rhombic prisms. 

Preparation. 

Tinctura Strophanthi. — Tincture of Strophanthus. Strophanthus, 
50. By digestion and percolation with Alcohol and water to 1000.] 
Dose, 2 to 10 m. 



STROPHANTHUS. " 359 

Action. 

External. — None. 

Internal. — Gastro-intestinal tract. — Like digitalis, strophan- 
tus is liable to cause vomiting and diarrhoea, especially if 
the dose be large. In small doses its bitter action may come 
into play, and then it will aid digestion like any other bitter 
stomachic. 

Heart. — Strophantus acts on the heart exactly like digi- 
talis, for it strengthens the force without altering the duration of 
the systole, slows the rate of the beat, and consequently prolongs 
the diastole, and makes an irregular heart regular. In fatal cases 
of poisoning by strophanthus the heart may be arrested either in 
diastole or systole. The details of its cardiac action are the same 
as those of digitalis. 

Vessels. — It does not constrict the peripheral vessels, 
or at any rate very slightly ; therefore, the slow rise of blood- 
pressure is almost entirely due to the action of the drug on the 
heart. This is the most important difference between it and 
digitalis, which contracts the vessels poAverfully and consequently 
gives a greater rise of blood-pressure. 

Kidneys. — It is diuretic, but not nearly so powerful as digi- 
talis. Probably the diuresis is entirely due to the increased car- 
diac action. No special alteration in the size of the renal vessels 
takes place under strophanthus. 

Nervous system. — This is not affected. In toxic doses it is 
a direct poison to the voluntary muscles. Strophanthin is a 
powerful local anaesthetic when dropped on the conjunctivae. 

Respiration. — No particular effect is produced. The African 
Kombe arrow poison is made from strophanthus. 

Therapeutics. 

Strophanthus is used in the same varieties of cardiac disease 
as digitalis; that is to say when it is desirable to slow the heart, 
to increase its force, to make it regular, and to prolong the 
diastole. It is clear, therefore, that it will be chiefly valuable in 
cases of mitral disease. A priori, it might be thought that as 



3^0 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDIC A. 

strophanthus does not contract the peripheral vessels and so in- 
crease the cardiac resistance, consequently it would be the more 
useful drug, but experience has not confirmed this, and in the 
treatment of a case of heart disease, digitalis should be used first; 
but if the patient does not improve on this, then strophanthus may 
be tried. It will sometimes happen that strophanthus will not 
produce vomiting when digitalis does, but there are many in- 
dividual differences. Digitalis should be given whenever a diuretic 
effect is desired ; but strophanthus, as it does not constrict the 
peripheral vessels, is preferable when it is wished to give one of 
these drugs to a patient suffering from chronic Bright's disease. 
Strophanthus is not cumulative. Jt has been recommended in 

exophthalmic goitre. 

CONVALLARIA. 

[CONVALLARIA. -The rhizome and roots of Convallaria majalis 
Linne (nat. ord. Liliacece}. Habitat. — United States, in the Alleghany 
Mountains ; Europe and Northern Asia. 

Characters. — Of horizontal growth and somewhat branched, about 3 
mm. thick, cylindrical, wrinkled, whitish, marked with few circular scars; at 
the annulate joint with about eight or ten long, thin roots; fracture somewhat 
fibrous, white ; odor peculiar, pleasant; taste sweetish, bitter, and somewhat acrid ] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Convallamarin, C 46 H 44 
24 , a glucoside the active principle ; [a white powder, bitter-sweet; soluble in 
water and Alcohol. (2) Convallarin, C 3i H 31 O n , a gkicoside, acrid prisms, 
sparingly soluble in, but foaming with water, soluble in Alcohol, but not in 
Ether. 

Preparation. 

1. Extractum Convallariae Fluidum. Fluid Extract of Con- 
vallaria. By maceration and percolation with diluted Alcohol, and 
evaporation. 

Dose, 5 to 30 m.] 

Action and Therapeutics. 
The action of Convallaria is precisely that of digitalis, and 
it may be given in exactly the same varieties of heart disease. 
It is sometimes successful when digitalis has failed. It is not so 
powerful as digitalis, but some find it less likely to produce sick- 
ness. [A more extended experience seems to indicate that this 
drug is very unreliable.] 



SQUILL. 361 

SCILLA. 

[SQUILL. — The bulb of Urginea maritima (Linne) Baker (nat. ord. 
Liliacece), deprived of its dry, membranaceous outer scales, and cut into thin 
slices, the central portions being rejected. Habitat. — Basin of the Mediterra- 
nean near the sea. 

Characters.— In narrow segments, about 5 cm. long, slightly translucent, 
yellowish- white or reddish, brittle and pulverizable when dry, tough and flexible 
after exposure to damp air; inodorous; taste mucilaginous, bitter, and acrid.] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Scillitoxin, the most 
active principle; (2) Scillipicrin, acting upon the heart; (3) Scillin, producing 
numbness and vomiting; (4) Mucilage. 

Dose, 1 to 5 gr. 

Preparations, 

1. Acetum Scillae. — [Vinegar of Squill. Squill, 100; diluted 
Acetic Acid, by maceration and percolation, to 1000. 

Dose, 10 to 45 m. 

It is used to prepare Syrupus Scillae. 

2. Extractum Scillae Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Squill. By 
maceration and percolation with Alcohol and water, and evaporation. 

Dose, 1 to 5 m. 

It is used to prepare Syrupus Scillae Compositus. 

3. Tinctura Scillae. — Tincture of Squill. Squill, 150. By macer- 
ation and percolation with Alcohol and water, to 1000. 

Dose, 5 to 30 m. 

4. Syrupus Scillae. — Syrup of Squill. Vinegar of Squill, 450; 
Sugar, 800; water to 1000. By solution and straining. 

Dose, y 2 to 1 fl. dr. 

5. Syrupus Scillae Compositus. — Compound Syrup of Squill 
Synonym. — Hive Syrup. See Antimony, p. 205.] 

Action. 

Squill so closely resembles digitalis in its action that the 
account of that drug will apply to squill, with the following addi- 
tions : Squill is a much more powerful gastro -intestinal 
irritant ; vomiting and purging result from even moderate doses, 
and after death, if animals are killed with it, much gastro- enteritis 
is found. In the second place, some constituent of squill is 
excreted by the bronchial mucous membrane, and in passing 
through it irritates it. The vascularity and the amount of secre- 
3i 



362 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

tion are thereby increased. Squill is, therefore, a powerful ex- 
pectorant. Thirdly, squill in the course of its excretion 
through the kidneys stimulates them ; it is, therefore, a more 
energetic diuretic than digitalis, and it may irritate the kid- 
neys excessively. 

Therapeutics. 

Because of its irritating properties, squill is not given alone, 
but it is frequently combined with digitalis when that drug is 
administered for heart disease or as a diuretic. A very favorite 
diuretic pill is composed of squill, digitalis and calomel, 1 grain 
of each, made up [with extract of hyoscyamus, \y 2 grains.] 

Squill is much used as an expectorant. Here also it is always 
prescribed in combination ; it is too irritating to the bronchial 
mucous membrane for it to be advisable to give it in acute bron- 
chitis ; nor should it be chosen in phthisis, lest it should cause 
dyspepsia ; but it is valuable in chronic bronchitis if the secretion 
is scanty. 

Squill should not be given in acute Bright's disease, for it is 
too irritating to the kidneys. 

[SPARTEINE SULPHAS. 
SPARTEINE SULPHATE.— C 15 H 26 N 2 H 2 S0 4 +4H 2 0=403.23. 

Source. — The neutral sulphate of an alkaloid obtained from Scoparius (q. v.) 
Sparteine, the alkaloid, is obtained by extracting the plant with water acidulated 
with Sulphuric Acid, concentrating, decomposing with Sodium Hydroxide, and 
distilling. The Sulphate is prepared from the Alkaloid by neutralization with 
Sulphuric Acid, and crystallizing. 

Characters. — Colorless, white, prismatic crystals, or a granular powder, 
odorless, and having a slightly saline and somewhat bitter taste. Liable to 
attract moisture when exposed to damp air. Solubility. — Very soluble in 
water and Alcohol. 

Dose, Jg to 2 gr. 

Action and Uses. 

Poisonous doses of sparteine sulphate cause, in the lower ani- 
mals, tremblings, incoordination, increase of reflexes, clonic 
and tonic convulsions, embarrassment of the respiration, acceler- 
ation of the pulse, and enfeeblement of the heart, followed by 
enfeeblement of all the functions, convulsions, and death from 



ACONITE. 363 

asphyxia. It paralyzes the respiratory centres and the motor 
centres of the spinal cord, but has a very feeble influence upon 
the muscles, lessening, though not destroying, their excitability. 
According to Laborde, under the influence of this alkaloid there 
is a very great increase in the size and height of the cardiac wave. 
If the dose has been a small one, the pulse is at first accelerated ; 
after large doses there is a slowing. The arterial pressure is 
not materially changed unless the dose is toxic, when it falls. 
Small doses weaken, and large ones paralyze the peripheral pneu- 
mogastric nerve ; upon the vaso-motor system it appears to have 
no influence, unless in very large toxic doses, when it, perhaps, acts 
as a paralyzant. It does not represent entirely the diuretic action 
of scoparius. According to See, sparteine is of very great value 
in producing regularity in cases of irregular cardiac action. It 
accelerates the beats when in a weak, atonic state, and has the 
great advantage of acting quickly, is not cumulative, but on the 
whole is probably inferior to digitalis in power, but it is useful in 
uncompensated heart disease.] 

ACONITUM. 

[ACONITE. — The tuber of Aconitum Napellus Linn£ (nat. ord. Ranun- 
culacete). Habitat. — Mountainous districts of Europe, Asia, and Northwest- 
ern North America. 

Characters. — From 10 to 20 mm. thick at the crown; conically con- 
tracted below; from 50 to 75 mm. long, with scars or fragments of radicles; 
dark brown externally; whitish internally; with a rather thick bark, the 
central axis about seven-rayed; without odor; taste at first sweetish, soon 
becoming acrid, and producing a sensation of tingling and numbless, which 
lasts for some time.] Resembling Aconite. — Horseradish [q. v.) 

Composition.— The active principle is the very poisonous alkaloid A co- 
nitine{see [Appendix.]). Other principles are, perhaps, Pseudoaconitine, [C 36 
H 49 NO u , Aconine, C^H^NO^ Pseudo-aconine, C 2 fH 41 N0 8 , Picraconitine, 
C 31 H 45 NO 10 , combined with Aconitic Acid, H 3 C 6 H 3 6 .] 

Dose, y 2 to 2 gr. 

Preparations. 

[1. Extractum Aconiti. — Extract of Aconite. By maceration and 
percolation with Alcohol, and evaporation. 
Dose, T \ to X gr. 



364 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

2. Extractum Aconiti Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Aconite. 
By maceration and percolation with Alcohol and water, and evaporation. 

Dose, ^ to 2 m. 

3. Tinctura Aconiti. — Tincture of Aconite. Aconite, 35. By 
maceration and percolation with Alcohol and water to 1000. 

Dose, y 2 to 5 m. 

It should be remembered that Fleming's Tincture of Aconite, which is 
found in the shops, is nearly twice as strong as the official tincture.] 

Action. 

External. — Applied to the skin, to a mucous membrane, or 
to a raw surface, aconite or its alkaloid first stimulates and then 
paralyzes the nerves of touch and temperature ; it therefore causes 
first tingling, then numbness and local anaesthesia, which 
last some time. 

Internal. — Gastro-intesti?ial tract. — 'Unless it is very dilute, 
numbness and tingling are produced in the mouth. There are 
no other gastro-intestinal symptoms unless the dose is very large, 
when there may be vomiting. 

Heart, — The rate of the beat maybe at first a little increased 
by aconite, but soon the pulse is very decidedly slowed, shortly 
after that the force and tension become less. Finally the 
heart is arrested in diastole. It is certain that towards the end 
of its action aconite influences the heart itself, for it will retard 
the excised organ when applied directly to it. It is extremely 
probable that in the earlier stages the drug acts upon the cardiac 
nerves or their centres, but the details of such action are not 
known. The effect on the heart leads to a fall of blood- 
pressure, but whether this is partly due to an action on the 
vaso-motor system itself, is undecided. 

Respiration. — The rate of respiration is slowed, expiration 
and the pause after it are considerably prolonged. This is chiefly 
due to the action of aconite on the center in the medulla, but in 
part to the paralysis of the peripheral endings of the afferent 
vagal fibres. 

Nervous system. — The evidence is very conflicting, but it ap- 
pears clear that aconite, whether given internally or applied 



ACONITE. 365 

locally, depresses the activity of the peripheral terminations 
of the nerves; the nerves of common sensation and 
temperature are affected before the motor. Any pain that 
may be present is relieved. Later on, the paralysis of the 
motor nerves gives rise to muscular weakness. It is doubtful 
whether the cord is influenced. The brain is not. 

Tempe?-ature . — Aconite causes a febrile temperature to fall. 
The cause of this is not known. 

Skin. — Aconite is a mild diaphoretic ; in this case also we 
do not understand how it acts. Occasionally it produces an 
erythematous rash. 

Kidneys. — It is said to be a feeble diuretic, but its effect is 
very slight. We do not know the channel by which it is elimi- 
nated. 

Therapeutics. 

External. — As aconite produces local anaesthesia, it is ap- 
plied externally and often with great benefit in cases of neuralgia, 
especially facial neuralgia. Frequently it fails, and we cannot tell 
beforehand whether it will succeed. A small piece of the oint- 
ment [B. P., aconitine, 2; alcohol, 7; benzoinated lard, 100] 
may be rubbed in till numbness is produced, but as this is a very 
expensive preparation it is usually better to paint on the liniment 
[B. P., a 40 per cent, solution of the root in alcohol, to which 
2 per cent, of camphor is added], with a camel' s-hair brush. The 
pain of chronic rheumatism is sometimes relieved by aconite. 

Internal. — It may be given internally for neuralgia, but it 
does not succeed nearly so well as when applied externally. It 
is not used internally as much as formerly, when it was admin- 
istered in almost every febrile disease, with the object of decreas- 
ing the force and tension of the pulse. Certainly it does this 
very effectually, and the only reason why it is not so popular at 
the present time is, that it is not now thought desirable to reduce 
the force and frequency of the heart in these diseases. Perhaps 
it is used too little, for many believe that the milder febrile 
diseases, such as tonsillitis, laryngitis, or a common cold, are 
distinctly benefited by aconite. In addition to retarding the 



366 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

pulse it increases perspiration and lowers the temperature. As 
large doses diminish the force of the heart, it is usually given in 
doses of two or three minims of the tincture every hour or so 
till the pulse falls to nearly normal ; for the same reason it is not 
advisable to use it for prolonged fevers, as typhoid, nor when the 
heart is diseased, except in the few cases in which there is suffi- 
cient compensative cardiac hypertrophy. In such cardiac cases 
it is sometimes useful to slow the pulse, even when there is no 
fever. It will occasionally relieve the pain of aneurism. A 
common practice was to combine with it one or two drops of 
Vinum Antimonii, as that has much the same action on the 
heart. Formerly it was much used in surgery if it was feared 
that inflammation might set in after injuries. 

Toxicology. 

The symptoms come on quickly; in a few minutes there is a severe burn- 
ing, tingling, sensation in the mouth, followed by numbness. Vomiting begins 
in an hour or so, and is very severe. There is an intense abdominal burning 
sensation. The skin is cold and clammy. Numbness and tingling, with a sense 
of formication of the whole skin, trouble the patient very much. The pupils 
are dilated, the eyes fixed and staring. The muscles become very feeble, hence 
he staggers. His pulse is small, weak and irregular. There is difficulty of 
respiration. Death takes place from asphyxia, or in some cases from syncope. 
He is often conscious to the last. Post-mortem. — The usual signs of death 
from asphyxia are seen. 

Treatment. — Wash out the stomach promptly, give emetics (seep. 79). In- 
ject stimulants, as ether or brandy, subcutaneously ; apply warmth. Atropine 
and the tincture of digitalis should be given subcutaneously. 

VERATRUM VIRIDE. 

[VERATRUM VIRIDE. Synonym. American Hellebore. The 
rhizome and roots of Veratrum viride Solander (nat. ord. Liliacece). Habi- 
tat. — North America, in rich woods. 

Characters. — Rhizome upright, obconical, simple or divided, from 3 to 
8 cm. long, and 2 to 4 or 5 cm. thick, externally blackish-gray, internally 
grayish- white, showing numerous short, irregular wood-bundles. Roots emana- 
ting from all sides of the rhizome, numerous, shrivelled, light yellowish-brown, 
about 10 to 20 cm. long, and 2 mm. thick. Inodorous, but strongly sternu- 
tatory when powdered; taste bitterish and very acrid.] Resembling Vera- 
trum. — Valerian serpentaria, arnica, but Veratrum has thicker rootlets, and no 
odor. 



VERATRUM VIRIDE. 367 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Jervine, [C 26 H 37 N0 3 , an 
alkaloid, non -sternutatory. (2) Pseudo-jervine, an alkaloid resembling Jervine. 
(3) Veratroidine, uncrystallizable, and sternutatory, is probably mostly rubi- 
jervine. (4) Traces of Rubijervine. (5) Resin.] 

Dose, 1 to 5 gr. 

Preparations. 

[1. Extractum Veratri Viridis Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Ver- 
atrum Viride. By maceration and percolation with Alcohol, and evapo- 
ration. 

Dose, 1 to 5 m.] 

2. Tinctura Veratri Viridis. — [Tincture of Veratrum Viride. 
Veratrum Viride, 400. By maceration and percolation with Alcohol 

to IOOO. 

Dose, 2 to 10 m. 

It should be remembered that the dose of Norwood's Tincture of Vera- 
trum Viride, which is found in the shops, is 5 m., gradually increased.] 

Action. 

The action of veratrum viride is very complex, as it contains 
so many alkaloids, but experiments have only been made on two 
active principles. These are jervine, and a substance, vera- 
troidine, which further analysis shows to consist chiefly of rubi- 
jervine, resin, and, perhaps, some other bodies. Jervine, vera- 
troidine, and veratrum viride will be considered separately. 

Jervine. — G astro-intestinal tract. — When administered in- 
ternally this substance produces profuse salivation, but neither 
vomiting nor purging. 

Circulation. — The pulse is markedly lessened in frequency 
if the animal is quiet, but often the convulsions produced by the 
jervine cause a rapid pulse. The force of the cardiac beat is not 
at first altered. The blood-pressure falls at once, and con- 
tinues to fall till death. Experiments made by excluding dif- 
ferent parts show that these effects are produced by a powerful 
direct depressant effect on the cardiac muscle itself, 
and that the vaso-motor nerve-centres are powerfully 
paralyzed. 

Respiration. — This is profoundly depressed, and death takes 
place from asphyxia. 



368 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Nervous system. — Early in the case there is muscular 
weakness, and this becomes more and more marked, so that 
the animal cannot stand, and reflex action is abolished. Yet, 
weak as these muscles are, they are soon violently convulsed, 
and it is found that jervine produces these apparently contrary 
effects by energetically stimulating the cerebral motor centers, but 
at the same time paralyzing the anterior cornual cells of the 
spinal cord, although not sufficiently to prevent the very strong 
impulses from the cerebral centres reaching the muscles and 
causing convulsions. The muscles themselves, and the motor 
and sensory nerves, are not affected ; or if they are, they are de- 
pressed a little, just before death. Consciousness and the pupils 
are uninfluenced. 

Veratroidine. — Gastro-intestinal tract. — This substance 
always produces vomiting and sometimes purging. 

Circulation. — At first it lessens the pulse-rate because it 
stimulates the pneumogastrics, consequently the blood -pressure 
falls, and if artificial respiration is kept up these effects continue 
till, if very large doses have been given, the stimulation of the 
vagi passes into paralysis and then the pulse rises in frequency. 
Veratroidine probably has no action on the vaso-motor centers. 
Its influence on the respiratory centers is so intense that if arti- 
ficial respiration is not maintained, the effects of the asphyxia so 
mask those of the drug on the vagi, that the blood-pressure rises, 
and the pulse becomes rapid. 

Respiration. — The function of respiratory centers is powerfully 
depressed, the animal soon becomes asphyxiated and dies. 

Nervous system. — The action is the same as that of jervine. 

Veratrum Viride. — The symptoms produced by this drug 
in man are as follows. They are easily explained by the com- 
bined actions of jervine and veratroidine : — The frequency and 
force of the pulse are profoundly depressed. There may be 
severe nausea and vomiting. After larger doses the pulse be- 
comes very feeble and uneasy, there is difficulty of respiration 
and intense muscular weakness. Convulsions are not common 
in man. The temperature may fall several degrees. 



VERATR1NA. 369 

Therapeutics. 

It is the opinion of most authorities that veratrum viride 
should be prescribed with great caution as it is such a powerful 
poison. It has been given as a cardiac depressant, but antimony 
and aconite are much safer. Some have, however, claimed that 
it is a better cardiac depressant than aconite, because the vomit- 
ing it induces quickly indicates that too large a dose has been 
administered ; but if the pulse is carefully watched too much 
aconite need not be given, and the vomiting itself is objectionable. 

VERATRINA. 

[VERATRINE. — A mixture of alkaloids obtained from the seed of 
Asagrcea officinalis (Schlechtendal et Chamisso), Lindley (nat. ord. Liliacece). 
Habitat. — Mexico to Venezuela.] 

Source. — (1) The seed is exhausted with Alcohol, and the Alcohol re- 
covered by distillation. (2) The residuary liquid is diluted with water to 
precipitate the resins and filtered. (3) Ammonia is added to the filtrate, when 
veratrine is precipitated. (4) It is then redissolved, decolorized, and repre- 
cipitated. 

Characters. — [A white or grayish- white, amorphous or semi-crystalline 
powder, odorless, but causing intense irritation and sneezing when even a 
minute quantity reaches the nasal mucous membrane ; having an acrid taste, 
and leaving a sensation of tingling and numbness on the tongue ; permanent 
in the air. Sohtbility. — Very slightly soluble in water ; soluble in 3 parts of 
Alcohol ; also soluble in 6 parts of Ether, and in 2 parts of Chloroform. 

Dose, 3-V to T V gr. 

Preparations . 

1. Oleatum Veratrinae. — Oleate of Veratrine. Veratrine, 2; 
Oleic Acid, 98. 

2. Unguentum Veratrinae. — Veratrine Ointment. Veratrine, 4; 
Olive Oil, 6; Benzoinated Lard, 90.] 

Action. 
External. — Veratrine has no effect when applied to the un- 
broken skin, but it is a powerful irritant when rubbed in; it 
then causes a feeling of warmth, followed by pricking, severe 
pain, and finally numbness. There is at the same time considera- 
ble hyperemia. 

Internal. — Gastro-intestinal tract. — Its irritant action is 
32 



370 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

even more marked on mucous membranes than on the skin. In- 
halation of the minutest portion causes great irritation of the 
mucous membrane of the nose, violent sneezing, and a free 
discharge of mucus, which may be bloody. A minute por- 
tion upon the tongue gives rise to burning pain and profuse 
salivation. On arriving at the stomach and intestine it pro- 
duces great epigastric pain, vomiting and diarrhoea. 

Blood. — Veratrine is quickly absorbed. It is not known to 
affect the living blood, but it kills the white corpuscles in drawn 
blood. 

Heart. — It acts directly on the cardiac muscle as it does upon 
voluntary muscle; that is to say, the contractions of the heart 
become fewer, but each lasts a very long while until 
ultimately the heart stops in systole. It also acts on the vagus 
as on spinal nerves, the functional activity being first exalted, 
and this is partly the reason of the slowing of the heart ; after- 
wards the vagus is depressed, but this does not cause a quickening 
of the pulse because of the action of the veratrine on the cardiac 
muscle, but it may make the beat irregular. The blood-pressure 
at first rises from the increased force of the beat, but when the 
heart becomes very slow it falls. Possibly these effects are also, in 
part, owing to the action of the drug on the vaso-motor centers. 

Respiration. — Small doses quicken respiration, large ones re- 
tard it, producing long pauses, and finally arresting it. These 
results are probably due at first to stimulation, and afterwards to 
paralysis of the ends of the vagus in the lung, and to paralysis of 
the respiratory centers. The temperature is lowered. 

Nervous system. — The brain is unaffected, and probably 
veratrine has no influence on the spinal cord. Motor nerves 
are first excited and then paralyzed, and the same is true 
of sensory nerves and their endings, but here the primary- 
stimulation is very marked, hence the pain produced by the local 
inunction of veratrine. 

Muscles.— The effect of veratrine is peculiar and characteris- 
tic. In animals to which it has been given, or in excised muscles 
to which it is applied, it is found that the period during which a 



SENEGA. 371 

single contraction lasts is enormously prolonged. If a 
tracing of the contraction be taken it will be seen that the latent 
period and the time of the ascent of the curve are unaltered, that 
the height is greatly increased and the descent is extraordinarily 
extended. This is a genuine lengthened contraction, which is 
neither rigor nor tetanus, but it almost exactly resembles the con- 
traction of the muscles met with in Thomsen's disease. This 
effect of veratrine disappears if the muscle is cooled. 

Therapeutics. 

External. — Veratrine as an oleate or ointment has been 
much used as an inunction for neuralgia, and sometimes it suc- 
ceeds admirably, generally in the same class of cases as are 
benefited by the local application of aconite. 

Internal. — It is rarely given internally, as it has such a 
powerful and peculiar action on the heart. 



GROUP III. 



Vegetable Drugs employed for their Action on the Respiratory Organs, 
and not falling among Volatile Oils (q. v.). 

Senega, [Sanguinaria, Pulsatilla], Ipecacuanha, [Al- 
lium], Lobelia, [Grindelia, Asclepias, Castanea, 
Inula, Aspidosperma, Eridictyon.] 

These are all gastro intestinal irritants. Senega and Ipecacuanha are both 
excreted by the bronchial mucous membrane, which they irritate. Group II. 
is connected with this group by Senega, which acts on the heart like Squill, and 
like it is excreted by the bronchial mucous membrane. 

SENEGA. 

[SENEGA. — The root of Polygala Senega Linne (nat. ord. Polygalece). 
Habitat. — United States, westward to Minnesota. 

Characters. — About 10 cm. long, with a very knotty crown, and 
spreading, tortuous branches, keeled when dry, fleshy and round after having 
been soaked in water; externally yellowish gray or brownish-yellow; bark 
thick, whitish within, enclosing an irregular, porous, yellowish wood; odor 
slight, but unpleasant; taste sweetish, afterwards acrid.] Resembling Senega 



37 2 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

root. — Arnica, Valeriana, Serpentaria and Green Hellebore, but none of these 
have a keel. 

Composition. — The active principle is Senegin (C 32 H 54 18 ). Also called 
Saponin, which is found in Quillaja (q. v.). It is a colorless amorphous glu- 
coside, insoluble in Alcohol, but forming a soapy emulsion when mixed with 
boiling water, and is decomposed by Hydrochloric Acid into glucose and 
Sapogenin. It acts like Digitonin, and is found in many plants. 

Impurities. — Other roots are mixed with it. 

Dose, 10 to 20 gr. 

Preparations. 

[1. Extractum Senegse Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Senega. By 
maceration and percolation with Alcohol, Ammonia Water and water, 
and evaporation. 

Dose, 10 to 20 m. 

2. Syrupus Senegse. — Syrup of Senega. Fluid Extract of 
Senega, 200; Ammonia Water, 5; Sugar, 700; water to 1000. Filter 
before adding the Sugar. 

Dose, 1 to 2 fl. dr. 

3. Syrupus Scillse Compositus. — See Antimony, p. 205.] 

Action. 

External. — Saponin (and hence senega) is an irritant to 
the skin. 

Internal. — Alimentary canal. — Senega in large doses is an 
irritant here also, producing salivation, vomiting, and diarrhoea. 
Even small doses often cause indigestion. It is absorbed with 
difficulty. 

Circulation. — Saponin circulates as such in the blood. It 
affects the heart like digitalis, but not so certainly. It is ex- 
creted by the skin, the bronchial mucous membrane, and the 
kidneys. 

Respiration. — When the powdered root is inhaled it acts as a 
violent irritant to the nose, causing much sneezing and cough, 
together with hyperemia and increased secretion from the re- 
spiratory mucous membrane. If senega is taken internally, it 
also irritates the bronchial mucous membrane during its excre- 
tion through it, causing vascular dilatation, greater secretion, 
and, reflexly, cough. It is, therefore, a stimulating expecto- 
rant. 



SANGUINARIA. 373 

Kidney. -It is a diuretic, and during its excretion through 
the kidney causes irritation of it. 

Therapeutics. 

Senega is only used as a stimulating expectorant. It is evident 
that it will be useful in bronchitis, when the secretion is scanty, 
and when the power to cough is feeble. As it is an irritant to 
the bronchial mucous membrane, it must not be given in acute 
bronchitis, nor, on account of its gastro-intestinal action, when 
there is indigestion. It has been employed as a diuretic, but it 
is not powerful, and is uncertain. 

[SANGUINARIA. 

SANGUINARIA. Synonym. — Bloodroot. The rhizome of San- 
guinaria canadensis Linne (nat. ord. Papaveracece), collected in autumn. 
Habitat. — North America, in rich woods. 

Characters. — Of horizontal growth, about 5 cm. long, and 1 cm. thick, 
cylindrical, somewhat branched, faintly annulate, wrinkled, reddish-brown; 
fracture short, somewhat waxy, whitish, with numerous small, red resin-cells, 
or of a nearly uniform, brownish-red color ; bark, thin ; odor, slight ; taste per- 
sistently bitter and acrid. 

Composition. — Its chief constituents are : (1) Sanguinarine , C 20 H 15 NO 4 , 
a white substance, soluble in Alcohol. (2) Chelerytkrine, C 21 H ]7 N0 4 . (3) 
Protopine, C^YL^NO^, also present in Opium. (4) Homochelidonine , C 22 H 21 N0 4 . 
(5) Resins. (6) Citric and Malic Acids. 

Dose, 2 to 30 gr. 

Preparations. 

1. Extractum Sanguinariae Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Sam 
guinaria. By maceration and percolation with Alcohol water and 
Acetic Acid, and evaporation. 

Dose, 1 to 5 m. (expectorant); ^ to 1 fl. dr. (emetic). 

2. Tinctura Sanguinariae. — Tincture of Sanguinaria. Sangui- 
naria, 150 ; by maceration with Alcohol, Acetic Acid and water, and 
percolation to 1 000. 

Dose, 5 to 30 m. (expectorant) ; 1 to 4 fl. dr. (emetic).] 

Action and Uses. 

Sanguinaria is an acrid emetic with stimulant, narcotic powers : 
it is also expectorant and said to be an emenagogue. It is chiefly 



374 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

used as a stimulating expectorant in chronic bronchitis or in 
advanced stages of the acute disease. 

PULSATILLA. 

PULSATILLA. — The herb of Anemone Pulsatilla and of Anemone 
pratensis Linne (nat. ord., Ranunculacece), collected soon after flowering. 
Habitat. — Europe . 

Characters. — Leaves radical, petiolate, silky-villous, twice or thrice 
deeply three-parted or pinnately cleft, with linear, acute lobes, appearing after 
the large, purple flowers ; inodorous, very acrid. 

Composition. — The chief constituent is Anemonin, C 10 H 8 O 4 , which is 
colorless, inodorous and, when distilled with water acrid. 

Dose, i to 5 gr. 

Action and Uses. 

It is said to be very nearly the equivalent of senega, and also 
to paralyze the heart and respiratory centers. It has been used in 
asthma, convulsive coughs and in bronchitis. The fluid extract 
in dose, i to 5TTb nas been highly recommended for orchitis and 
epididymitis. 

IPECACUANHA. 

[IPECACUANHA. — Ipecac. The root of Cephaelis Ipecacuanha 
(Brotero) A. Richard (nat. ord. Rubiacece). Habitat. — Brazil to Bolivia and 
New Granada, in damp forests ; cultivated in India. 

Characters. — About 10 cm. long, and 4 or 5 mm. thick ; mostly simple, 
contorted, dull grayish-brown or blackish, finely wrinkled ; closely and irreg- 
ularly annulated, and often transversely fissured ; bark thick, brittle, brownish, 
easily separated from the thin, whitish, tough, ligneous portion; odor slight, 
peculiar, nauseous; taste bitterish, acrid, nauseating.] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Emetine, C 30 H 40 NO 5 , 
from I to 2 per cent., the active principle. It is white (turns yellow on keep- 
ing), odorless, bitter, and soluble in Alcohol, Ether and Chloroform, slightly 
soluble in water. (2) Ipecacuanhic Acid. (3) An amorphous, bitter Glucoside. 
(4) Tannin, Volatile Oil, Starch, Gum, etc. 

Impurities. — Hemidesmus, which is cracked, not annulated. Almond 
Fowder, occasionally found mixed with powdered Ipecacuanha root, gives 
odor of Prussic Acid when moistened. 

Dose, of powdered root, l / z to 2 gr. (expectorant), 15 to 30 gr. (emetic). 

Preparations. 
1. [Extractum Ipecacuanhae Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Ipe- 
cac. By maceration and percolation with Alcohol and water, distilla- 



IPECACUANHA. 375 

tion of the Alcohol, addition of water to residue, evaporation and addi- 
tion of Alcohol. 

From the fluid extract is made Syrupus Ipecacuanha, Tinctura 
Ipecacuanhae et Opii, and Vinum Ipecacuanhae. 

Dose, i to 5 m. 

2. Pulvis Ipecacuanhae et Opii. — See Opium, p. 292. 

3. Trochisci Ipecacuanhae. — Troches of Ipecac. Ipecac, 2 ; 
Tragacanth, 2 ; sugar, 65 gm ; Syrup of Orange, a sufficient quantity 
for 100 troches. Each troche contains y^ gr. Ipecacuanha. 

Dose, 1 to 6 troches. 

4. Trochisci Morphinae et Ipecacuanhae. — See Morphine, 
P- 295. 

5. Syrupus Ipecacuanhae. — Syrup of Ipecac. Fluid Extract of 
Ipecac, 75; Acetic Acid, 10; Glycerin, 100 ; sugar, 700; water 
to 1000. 

Dose, 5 m. to 2 fl. dr. 

6. Tinctura Ipecacuanhae et Opii. — See Opium, p. 293. 

7. Vinum Ipecacuanhae. — Wine of Ipecac. Fluid Extract of 
Ipecac, 100; Alcohol, 100; White Wine, 800. 

Dose, 1 to 60 m.] 

Action. 

External. — Ipecacuanha powder is a powerful irritant to 
the skin, producing redness, vesication, and postulation. It has 
some antiseptic powers, for it can destroy anthrax bacilli, but 
it has no effect on the spores. This property is not due to its 
emetine, but to some other constituent. 

Internal. —Alimentary canal. — Here also the irritating action 
of ipecacuanha is seen. It increases the flow of saliva, dilates 
the gastric vessels, and stimulates the secretion of gastric juice. 
Therefore small doses are distinctly stomachic, and aid 
digestion. Large doses are, however, powerfully emetic. This 
is partly due to their irritant effect upon the stomach, but still 
more to the fact that emetine acts directly upon the vomiting 
center in the medulla, as can be proved by observing that, when 
the alkaloid is thrown directly into the circulation, vomiting 
follows before there is time for it to have been excreted into the 
stomach. Ipecacuanha is, therefore, both a direct and indirect 
emetic. It produces a certain amount of depression, but not 



37^ ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

more than the mere act of vomiting will explain. It does not 
usually cause nausea. The irritant effect is continued in the in- 
testine, and hyperemia, excessive secretion, and purging result. 
In dysentery there is a peculiar tolerance of ipecacuanha. Ipe- 
cacuanha increases the amount of bile secreted, and is therefore 
a direct cholagogue. 

Circulation. — No specific effect whatever is produced except 
by enormous doses which may arrest the beat of the heart, but 
the act of vomiting is somewhat depressing. 

Respiration. — This likewise is unaffected. Ipecacuanha pow- 
der when inhaled, or taken internally, when it is excreted by the 
bronchial mucous membrane, causes hyperemia of it, together 
with an increased secretion of bronchial mucus, and therefore, 
reflexly, coughing is stimulated. It is, consequently, an ex- 
pectorant ; and because the nausea it produces depresses the 
circulation a little, it is called a depressant expectorant ; but 
this is a misnomer, considering that the bronchial mucous 
membrane is stimulated. Animals to which large doses of ipe- 
cacuanha or of emetine have been given show, after death, con- 
siderable hyperemia of the bronchial mucous membrane, of the 
lungs, and of the stomach and intestines, and the same condition 
of the respiratory passage is seen if ipecacuanha powder has been 
inhaled. 

Skin. — Ipecacuanha is a mild diaphoretic. 

Therapeutics. 

External. — Ipecacuanha is never at the present day em- 
ployed for its external irritant effect. It has been used with 
success, as an antiseptic, in cases of anthrax. It is directed that 
the wound should be dressed with the powder, and that 5 grains 
should be taken by the mouth, every four hours. 

Internal. — Stomach. — Occasionally in small doses, such as 4 
or 5 minims of the wine or y^ gr. of the powder, it is employed 
as a stomachic, and these quantities may even stop vomiting 
when other drugs have failed. A usual prescription to arrest the 
vomiting of pregnancy is a minim of ipecacuanha wine in water 



IPECACUANHA. 377 

every half hour. The powder of ipecac and opium has been 
praised in cases of gastric ulcer ; no doubt any good effect it may 
have is due to its stimulating power. Ipecacuanha is a very com- 
mon emetic. It should not be given when it is desired, as in 
cases of poisoning, to empty the stomach quickly, for some time 
elapses before it is absorbed and influences the medulla ; nor 
should it be given to the very feeble, for it has no action that will 
counteract the depression of the vomiting. But it is an excellent 
emetic when it is wished, by the act of vomiting, to empty the 
air-passages, as in bronchitis, the early stages of diphtheria, 
tracheitis, and laryngitis, for not only the vomiting, but the effect 
of the ipecacuanha on the respiratory tract and the slight subse- 
quent depression will be beneficial. It is chiefly employed for 
this purpose in children, as they cannot cough well, and often it 
seems to act like a charm. It used to be given in the early stage 
of fevers, to empty the stomach of undigested food. A good 
emetic powder for an adult consists of 20 grains of powdered 
ipecacuanha with ^4 gr. of tartar emetic. 

Ipecacuanha is said to be a specific for dysentery. How it 
acts is not known. Very large doses must be given — 60 to 90 
grains in a single dose, or 20 grains every four hours. 

Half a grain to a grain or more is often combined in a pill 
with other cholagogues to relieve cases of hepatic dyspepsia, and 
sometimes with excellent results. 

Respiration. — Ipecacuanha is a very common expectorant. 
[The troches] may be [dissolved in the mouth or the syrup], or 
wine may be given internally. It is suitable in cases of bron- 
chitis or phthisis in which the secretion is scanty, and therefore 
there is much purposeless cough ; and also when the disease is of 
long-standing, for then the stimulation of the chronically in- 
flamed mucous membrane will aid the cure of it. Its power of 
exciting the act of coughing adds to its usefulness. 

The inhalation of ipecacuanha powder by means of an atomizer 
has been recommended in cases of asthma, and for the asthma- 
like paroxysms which often accompany chronic bronchitis. Some- 
times it does good, but it may make the trouble worse. 



37$ ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Skin. — Dover's powder is very commonly used as a diaphoretic 
in mild feverish attacks. 

[ALLIUM. 

GARLIC. — The bulb of Allium sativum Linne (nat. ord Liliacece). 
Habitat. — Asia and Southern Europe, cultivated. 

Characters. — Bulb subglobular, compound, consisting of about eight 
compressed, wedge-shaped bulblets, which are arranged in a circle around the 
base of the stem, and covered by several dry, membranous scales. Odor pun- 
gent and disagreeable ; taste warm and acrid. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are: — (i) A volatile oil, % per 
cent., which consists of Allyl (C 3 H 5 ) oxides and sulphides, (2) Mucilage, 
(3) Albumin. 

Dose, 15 to 30 gr. 

Preparation. 

Syrupus Allii. — Syrup of Garlic. Garlic, 200 ; sugar, 800; di- 
luted Acetic Acid to 1000. 
Dose, 1 to 4 fl. dr. 

Action and Uses. 

The effects of garlic are those of a general stimulant, quick- 
ening the circulation, exciting the nervous system, and promoting 
expectoration. It is beneficial in impaired digestion, in chronic 
catarrhal and other pectoral affections in which symptoms of 
inflammation have subsided and a relaxed state of the vessels 

remains.] 

LOBELIA. 

[LOBELIA. — The leaves and tops of Lobelia infiata Linne (nat. ord. 
Lobeliacece), collected after a portion of the capsules have become inflated. 
Habitat. — North America, in fields and open woods. 

Characters. — Leaves alternate, petiolate, the upper ones sessile, ovate or 
oblong, about 5 cm. long, irregularly toothed, pubescent, pale green ; branches 
hairy, terminating in long racemes of small, pale blue flowers, having an adhe- 
rent five-toothed calyx, which is inflated in fruit, a bilabiate corolla, and five 
united stamens; odor slight, irritating; taste mild, afterwards burning and 
acrid.] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are: — (1) Lobeline, a white pow- 
der, inodorous, fully soluble in water. (2) Lobelacrin (probably Lobeline 
Lcbelate). (3) Lobelic Acid. 

Incompatible. — Caustic Alkalies, as they decompose Lobeline. 

Dose, 1 to 10 gr. 



LOBELIA. 379 

« 

Preparations. 
[i. Extractum Lobeliae Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Lobelia. 
By maceration and percolation with diluted Alcohol, and evaporation. 
Dose, i to 10 m.] 

2. Tinctura Lobeliae. — [Tincture of Lobelia. Lobelia, 200. By 
percolation with diluted Alcohol to iooo. 
Dose, 5 to 30 m.] 

Action. 

External. — Lobelia has no effect on the skin, but it is stated 
that poisonous symptoms may occur from absorption of it through 
the epidermis. 

Internal. — Gastro-intestinal tract. — Moderate or large doses 
are powerfully irritant, and thus they cause violent vomiting and 
purging. A peculiarity of the action of lobelia is that these 
results are accompanied by very intense prostration, as shown 
by the feeble pulse, cold sweats, pale skin, and great muscular 
relaxation. 

Circulation. — In the frog the heart is at first stimulated, but 
soon depressed, and it finally stops in diastole. The blood-pres- 
sure falls. This is due partly to the action on the heart, and 
partly to paralysis of the vaso-motor centres. 

Respiration. — Small doses slow respiration, large doses strongly 
depress the respiratory centre, and death takes place from respiratory 
failure. The muscular coat of the bronchi is said to be relaxed. 

Nervous system. — Toxic doses are required to affect the higher 
cerebral centres, and then coma and convulsions are produced, 
but it is not clear how far these results are due to asphyxia. The 
respiratory and vaso-motor centres, and probably the cardiac, are, 
as already mentioned, depressed. Experiments seem to show 
that the motor centres of the cord are also depressed. Muscles 
and nerves are unaffected. 

Lobeline is probably excreted by the kidneys and skin, and is 
said to have diuretic and diaphoretic properties. 

Therapeutics. 
Lobelia has been recommended as a purgative and as an 
emetic, but it should not be used for these purposes, because of 



380 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

its great liability to produce collapse. It is employed in asthma 
to relax the muscular coat of the bronchial tubes. A [drachm] 
of the tincture should be given till nausea is experienced, but it 
should never be pushed beyond that point. It may also be pre- 
scribed for bronchitis accompanied by spasmodic dyspnoea. 

GRINDELIA. 
GRINDELIA. — The leaves and flowering tops of Grindelia robasta 
Xuttall, and of Grinddia squarrosa Dunal (nat ord. Composite?). Habitat. — 

(1) G robusta, North America, west of the Rocky Mountains, in salt marshes. 

(2) G. squarrosa, Western Plains to the Sierra Nevada and south to Texas. 
Characters. — Leaves about 5 cm. or less long, varying from broadly 

spatulate or oblong to lanceolate, sessile or clasping, obtuse, more or less sharply 
serrate, often spinosely toothed, or even lacinate-pinnatifid, pale green, smooth- 
finely dotted, thickish, brittle; heads many-flowered, subglobular or somewhat 
conical; the involucre hemispherical, about 10 mm. broad, composed of numer- 
ous imbricated, squarrosely-tipped or spreading scales ; ray florets yellow, ligu- 
late, pistillate ; disk-florets yellow, tubular, perfect; pappus consisting of two 
or three awns of the length of the disk -florets; odor balsamic; taste pungently 
aromatic and bitter. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (i) A volatile oil. (2) A 
resin. (3) A peculiar glucoside, and (4) an alkaloid. 

Dose, )( to 1 dr. 

Preparation. 

Extractum Grindeliae Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Grindelia. By 
maceration and percolation with Alcohol, and evaporation. 
Dose, ^ to 1 fl. dr. 

Action and Therapeutics. 
In small doses, Grindelia is a mild stomachic and cardiac seda- 
tive, but its main action depends upon the fact that in its excretion 
by the bronchial mucous membrane it acts as an expectorant, and 
also relaxes the muscular coat of the bronchial tubes, and this 
explains its efficacy in asthma. Two or three doses of twenty 
minims of the fluid extract in milk, which prevents precipitation 
in the resin, given every twenty minutes will often allay the 
paroxysms of asthma. Between the attacks, this dose should be 
taken three times a day. The same quantity may with advantage 
be added to mixtures prescribed for chronic bronchitis, for not 
only is grindelia an expectorant, but it relieves the asthmatic par- 



CASTANEA. 38 1 

oxysms which so frequently accompany bronchitis. It is very 
bitter; its taste is best concealed by Spiritus Chloroformi. Linen 
soaked in a lotion of 1 fl. dr. of the fluid extract in 6 fl. oz. of 
water is applied to the skin for the dermatitis caused by Rhus 
toxicodendron, the poison ivy. The same lotion is used in burns, 
and as an injection in gleet and leucorrhoea. 

ASCLEPIAS. 

ASCLEPIAS. Synonym. — Pleurisy Root. The root of Asclepias 
hiberosa Linne (nat. ord. Asclepiadece). Habitat. — United States, near the 
Atlantic Coast. 

Characters. — Root large and fusiform, dried in longitudinal or trans- 
verse sections, from 2 to 15 cm. long, and about 2 cm. or more in thickness; 
the head knotty, and slightly but distinctly annulate, the remainder longitu- 
dinally wrinkled, externally orange-brown, internally whitish; tough and 
having an uneven fracture; bark thin, and in tw r o distinct layers, the inner one 
whitish ; wood yellowish, with large, white, medullary rays. It is inodorous, 
and has a bitterish, somewhat acrid taste. 

Constituents.— (1) A crystalline Glucoside, soluble in Alcohol, Ether, 
and somewhat in water. (2) Two Resins. 

Dose, % to 2 dr. 

Preparation. 

Extractum Asclepiadis Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Asclepias. 
By maceration and percolation with diluted Alcohol, and evaporation. 
Dose, ^ to 2 fl. dr. 

Uses. 

Pleurisy root is used in the disease which gives its name, and 
in various pectoral affections. It possesses diaphoretic, carmina- 
tive and expectorant properties, without being stimulant. 

CASTANEA. 

CASTANEA. Synonym. — Chestnut. The leaves of Castanea deniata 
(Marshall) Sud worth (nat. ord. Ctipuliferce), collected in September or October, 
while still green. Habitat. — North America, from Ontario south to Florida, 
and west to Arkansas and Michigan. 

- Characters. — From 15 to 25 cm. long, about 5 cm. wide, petiolate, 
oblong-lanceolate, acuminate, mucronate, feather-veined, sinuate-serrate, smooth ; 
odor slight; taste somewhat astringent. 



382 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Constituents. — (1) Tannin, about 9 per cent. (2) Albumin. (3) 
Resin. (4) Gum. 

Dose, yi to 2 dr. 

Preparation. 

Extractum Castaneae Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Castanea. 
By maceration with boiling water, percolation, evaporation, and addition 
of Glycerin and Alcohol. 

Dose, ]/ z to 2 fl. dr. 

Uses. 

Chestnut leaves are mildly sedative, they are used only in 
whooping-cough, because they are supposed to possess antispas- 
modic and expectorant properties. 

INULA. 

INULA. Synonym. — Elecampane. The root of Inula Helenium 
Linne (nat. ord. Composites). Habitat. — Central and Southern Europe, and 
eastward to Central Asia; spontaneous in the United States; cultivated. 

Characters.- In transverse, concave slices or longitudinal sections, with 
overlapping bark, externally wrinkled and brown; flexible in damp weather; 
when dry, breaking with a short fracture; internally grayish, fleshly, slightly 
radiate, and dotted with numerous shining, yellowish-brown resin cells ; free 
from starch ; odor peculiar, aromatic ; taste bitter and pungent. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Inulin, sometimes called 
Alantin, 3C 12 H 20 O ]0 -}-H 2 O, which is found in 19 to 44 per cent., according to 
the season; (2) Alantic Acid, C 15 H 20 O 2 ; (3) Helenin, C 6 H 8 0. 

Dose, ^ to 1 dr. 

Uses. 

It is chiefly used in diseases of the lungs, especially when 
complicated with general debility. Recently, some laboratory 
experiments have suggested that helenin may be of value in the 
treatment of tuberculosis, since it is a bactericide. 

ASPIDOSPERMA. 

ASPIDOSPERMA. Synonym,— Quebracho. The bark of Aspido- 
sperma Quebracho-bianco Schlechtendal (nat. ord. Apocynacece). Habitat. — 
Argentine Republic. 

Characters. — In nearly flat pieces, about 1 to 3 cm. thick; the outer 
surface yellowish-gray or brownish, deeply fissured; inner surface yellowish- 
brown or reddish-brown, distinctly striate; fracture displaying two sharply 
defined strata, of about equal thickness, and both marked with numerous whi- 



ERIODICTYON. 383 

tisS dots and stride arranged in tangential lines ; the fracture of the outer, 
lighter colored layer rather coarsely granular, and that of the darker colored, 
inner layer short-splintery; inodorous; taste very bitter and slightly aromatic. 

Composition. — (1) Aspidcspermine, C 22 H 28 N 2 2 , (2) Qtcebrackamine, 
(3) Aspidospermcttine. (4) Aspidosamine, C 22 H 28 N 2 2 , (5) Hydroquebrachine, 
C 21 H 28 N 2 2 , all being Alkaloids, (6) Quebrachit, a peculiar sugar, (7) Tannin. 
Dose, 5 to 30 gr. 

Preparations. 
Extractum Aspidospermatis Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Aspi- 
dosperma. By maceration with Glycerin and Alcohol, and percolation 
with Glycerin, Alcohol and water, and evaporation. 
Dose, 5 to 30 m. 

Action. 

None of the alkaloids fully represent the drug. In the lower 
animals large doses of the bark produce motor paralysis, with dysp- 
noea and finally death from asphyxia. The breathing early be- 
comes slower, but deeper ; the blood pressure is not affected until 
late. Penzoldt believes that the relief of dyspnoea which is 
obtained clinically, is caused by its increasing the power of the 
blood to take up oxygen. 

Therapeutics. 
Quebracho is a bitter which may aid the appetite, and is a 
valuable remedy when the respiration is embarrassed by emphy- 
sema, chronic bronchitis, or chronic pneumonia ; even uraemic 
asthma is benefited by it. It is not of benefit in dyspnoea of 
cardiac origin. The commercial aspidospermine, which is an 
impure mixture of all the alkaloids, and therefore represents their 
combined action, may be given in dose of from ^ to ^ gr. 

ERIODICTYON. 

ERIODICTYON. The leaves of Eriodictyon glutinosum Bentham 
(nat. ord. Hydropkyllacece). Habitat. — California. 

Characters. — Oblong- lanceolate, 5 to 10 cm. long, acute at the apex, 
and below narrowed into a short petiole, the margin sinuately toothed to nearly 
entire; upper surface green, smooth, and covered with a brownish resin; 
lower surface reticulate and minutely white-tomentose; odor somewhat 
aromatic; taste balsamic and sweetish. 



3 $4 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Composition.— The chief constituents are: (i) Volatile Oil, (2) Resin, 
acrid, greenish-yellow and contains Ericolin, C 34 H 56 21 , (3) Tannin, 8 per 
cent. 

Dose, 15 to 30 gr. 

Preparation. 

Extractum Eriodictyi Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Eriodictyon. 
By maceration and percolation with Alcohol and water, and evapo- 
ration. 

Dose, 15 to 30 m. 

, Action and Uses. 

Eriodictyon, under the name of Yerba Santa, has long been 
used in California as a bitter tonic, and as a stimulating expec- 
torant. It has been found useful in chronic bronchitis. It is an 
excellent vehicle for quinine, concealing its bitter taste.] 



GROUP IV. 



Vegetable Drugs having Antiperiodic, Antipyretic, and Antiseptic 
Properties. 

Cinchona, Quinine, [Magnolia, Cornus,] Salicin, Sali- 
cylic Acid, [Gaultheria,] Hydrastis. 

CINCHONA. 

[CINCHONA.— The bark of Cinchona Calisaya Weddell, Cinchona 
officinalis Linne, and of hybrids of these and of other species of Cinchona 
(nat. ord. Rzibiacece), yielding, when assayed not less than 5 per cent, of total 
alkaloids, and at least 2.5 per cent, of Quinine (C 20 H 24 N 2 O 2 +H 2 O— 341.3). 
Habitat. — South America, on the Eastern slope of the central chain of the 
Andes, thence spreading northward into Columbia; cultivated in Java, India, 
Jamaica, and other countries ; to a limited extent also in South America. 

Characters. — In quills or incurved pieces, varying in length, and usually 
2 or 3, or sometimes 5 mm. thick; the outer surface covered with a gray or 
brownish-gray cork, usually slightly wrinkled, marked with transverse, and 
also with intersecting, longitudinal fissures (C. Calisaya) and sometimes with 
scattered warts and slight longitudinal ridges; inner surface light cinnamon- 
brown, very finely striate; fracture short and granular in the outer layer, and 
finely fibrous in the inner layer; powder light brown or yellowish-brown; odor 
slight, somewhat aromatic;] taste bitter and somewhat astringent. 



CINCHONA. 385 

Composition. — The chief constituents of Cinchona Bark are several alka- 
loids, acids, a glucoside, Tannin, a coloring matter and a volatile oil. 

(1) Quinine. — An alkaloid, exists as the Hydrate. Gives a green color 
with Chlorine water and Ammonia; turns the plane of polarization to the left, 
solutions of its salts are fluorescent. Forms salts with acids. [See p. 386.) 

(2) Quinidine. — An Alkaloid, C 20 H 2t N 2 O. 2 , isomeric with Quinine, dif- 
fering from it only in crystallizing in prisms, turning the plane of polarization 
to the right, and n >t being soluble in ammonia except in excess. 

(3) Cinchonine. — An Alkaloid. No green color with Chlorine Water and 
Ammonia. Turns the plane of polarization to the right. Not fluorescent. [See 
p. 388). 

(4) Cinchonidine. — An Alkaloid, C 19 H 22 N 2 0, isomeric with Cinchonine, 
differing from it in turning the plane of polarization to the left, being sparingly 
soluble in Ether, and being slightly fluorescent. 

(5) \_Quinamine.~] — An Alkaloid, C 19 H 24 N 2 2 . Not important. 

(6) Kinic or Quinic Acid. — C ? H 12 6 . Large, colorless prisms. It and 
its salts are soluble in water, and thus Quinine may be given subcutaneously as 
Quinine Quinate. The acid is found in the Coffee Bean and other plants. It 
is allied to Benzoic Acid, and appears in the urine as Hippuric Acid. 

(7) Kinovic or Quinovic Acid, [C 32 H 48 6 .] — A white amorphous sub- 
stance related to Kinovin. 

(8) Kinovin or Quinovin. — A Glucoside, [Cs H 4g O 8> ] which easily de- 
composes into Glucose and Kinovic Acid. 

(9) Cinchotannic Acid. — [2 to 4] per cent. It is the astringent principle 
of Cinchona Bark. It differs from Tannic Acid in becoming green with ferric 
salts. It is easily oxidized to Cinchona Red. 

(10) Cinchona Red. — The coloring matter of the bark. It is almost insol- 
uble in water. 

(n) A Volatile Oil. — This exists in minute quantities. Cinchona Bark 
owes its smell to it. 

[The true yellow Cinchona Bark must not be confounded with other Cin- 
chona Barks of a similar color, but having the best fibres in bundles or raised 
rows, and breaking with a splintery or coarsely fibrous fracture. ] 

Remijia Bark yields, in addition, Homoquinine, which is a compound of 
Quinine and Cupreine, [C 19 H 22 N 2 2 .] 

Impurities. — [Inferior barks, known by their not yielding the full strength 
of Quinine and Cinchonine.] 

Incompatibles. — Ammonia, Lime Water, metallic salts and Gelatin. 

Dose, 10 to 60 gr. 

33 



386 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Preparations. 
[1. Infusum Cinchonae. — Infusion of Cinchona. Cinchona, 60; 
Aromatic Sulphuric Acid, 10; by percolation with water to 1 000. 
Dose, 1 to 2 fl. oz. 

2. Extractum Cinchonae. — Extract of Cinchona. By maceration 
and percolation with Alcohol and water, distillation of Alcohol and 
evaporation. 

Dose, 5 to 30 gr. 

3. Extractum Cinchonae Fluidum.— Fluid Extract of Cinchona. 
By maceration and percolation with Alcohol, Glycerin and water, and 
evaporation, addition of Alcohol. 

Dose, 10 to 60 m. 

4. Tinctura Cinchonae. — Tincture of Cinchona. Cinchona, 200; 
Glycerin, 75. By maceration and percolation with Alcohol and water 
to 1000. 

Dose, y 2 to 2 fl. dr.] 

CINCHONA RUBRA. 

[RED CINCHONA.— The bark of Cinchona succirubra Pavon (nat. 
ord. Rubiacece), containing not less than 5 per cent, of its peculiar alkaloids. 
Habitat. — Ecuador, west of Chimborazo. 

Characters. — In quills or incurved pieces, varying in length, and from 
2 to 4 or 5 mm. thick ; the outer surface covered with a grayish-brown cork, 
more or less rough from warts and longitudinal warty ridges, and from few, 
mostly short transverse fissures ; inner surface more or less deep reddish-brown 
and distinctly striate ; fracture short-fibrous in the inner layer ; powder red- 
dish-brown ; odor slight ; taste bitter and astringent. 

Constituents. — See Cinchona. 

Dose, 10 to 60 gr. 

Preparations. 

Tinctura Cinchonae Composita. — Compound Tincture of Cin- 
chona. Red Cinchona, 100 ; bitter orange peel, 80; Serpentaria, 20 ; 
Glycerin, 75. By maceration and percolation with Alcohol, Glycerin 
and water to 1 000. 

Dose, 1 to 4 fl. dr. 

[QUININA. 

I. QUININE.— C 20 H 24 N 2 O 2 +3H 2 O— 377.22. An Alkaloid obtained 
from the bark of various species of Cinchona (nat. ord. Rubiacece). 

Source. — By adding to a solution of the Sulphate a sufficient quantity of 
Ammonia Water to precipitate the Alkaloid. 



QUININE. 38 



Characters. — A white, flaky, amorphous or crystalline powder, odorless, 
and having a very bitter taste; permanent in the air. Solubility, — In 1670 
parts of water, and in 6 parts of Alcohol ; in 23 parts of Ether, 5 parts of 
Chloroform and 200 parts of Glycerin; also soluble in Carbon Disulphide, 
Benzin, Benzol, Ammonia Water, and diluted acids.] 

Impurities. — Other Alkaloids, Cinch nine, Cinchonidine, Quinidine and 
Cupreine. Lime, Chalk, Magnesia, Starch and other white powders. Salicin, 
detected by its giving a blood-red color with Sulphuric Acid. 

[Dose, 1 to 20 gr. 

Preparations . 

1. Ferri et Quininae Citras.— See Irqn, p. 174. 

2. Ferri et Quininae Citras Solubilis. — See Iron, p. 174. 

2. QUININAE BISULPHAS.— Quinine Bisulphate.— C 20 H 24 N 2 O 2 H 2 
S0 4 +7H 2 0=546.88. 

Source. — By suspending Quinine Sulphate in water, adding Sulphuric 
Acid, filtering and crystallizing. 

Characters. — Colorless, transparent or whitish, orthorhombic crystals, 
or small needles, odorless, and having a very bitter taste. Efflorescing on 
exposure to the air. Solubility. — In 10 parts of water, and in 32 parts of 
Alcohol. 

Dose, 1 to 20 gr. 

3. QUININE HYDROBROMAS.— Quinine Hydrobromate. C 20 
H 24 N 2 2 HBr-f H 2 0=422.o6. 

Source. — By suspending Quinine Sulphate in water, adding Barium 
Bromide in solution, filtering, evaporating, and crystallizing. 

Characters. — White, light, silky needles, odorless, and having a very 
bitter taste. The salt is liable to lose water on exposure to warm or dry air. 
Solubility, — In 54 parts of water, and in 0.6 part of Alcohol; also soluble in 
6 parts of Ether, and in 12 parts of Chloroform. 

Dose, 1 to 20 gr. 

4. QUININE VALERIANAS.— Quinine Valerianate. C 20 H 2 ,N 2 

O 2 C 5 H 10 O 2 -fH 2 O=443.o7. 

Source. — By decomposing Quinine Sulphate by Ammonia, combining 
directly with Valerianic Acid, and crystallizing from a cold solution. 

Characters. — White, or nearly white, pearly, lustrous, triclinic crystals, 
having a slight odor of Valerianic Acid, and a bitter taste. Permanent in the 
air. Solubility. — In 100 parts of water, and in 5 parts of Alcohol. 

Dose, 1 to 30 gr.] 

5. QUININE SULPHAS.— Quinine Sulphate. (C 20 H 24 N 2 O 2 ) 2 H 2 
S0 4 [+7H 2 0=870.22. 



388 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Source. — By boiling Cinchona in water acidulated with Hydrochloric 
Acid and straining. Add lime to the decoction, and wash the precipitate. 
Digest in boiling Alcohol and distill off the Alcohol. Dissolve the residue in 
distilled water and Sulphuric Acid, boil with animal charcoal, filter and set 
aside to crystallize.] 

Characters. — [White, silky, light and fine, needle-shaped crystals, fragile 
and somewhat flexible, making a very light and easily compressible mass, 
lustreless from superficial efflorescence after being for some time exposed to the 
air, odorless, and having a persistent, very bitter taste. The salt is liable to 
lose water on exposure to warm air, to absorb moisture in damp air, and to 
become colored by exposure to light. Solubility. — In 740 parts of water, and 
in 65 parts of Alcohol; also in 40 parts of glycerin, in about 680 parts of 
Chloroform, and freely in dilute acids.] 

Incompatibles. — Alkalines and their carbonates, astringent infusions. 

Dose, 1 to 5 gr., or 5 to 20 gr. (antipyretic and antiperiodic). 

[Preparation. 
Syrupus Ferri Quininae et Strychninae Phosphatum. See 

Iron, p. 173.] 

6. QUININE HYDROCHLORAS.- Quinine Hydrochlorate. C 20 
H 24 N 2 2 HC1[ + 2H 2 0=395.6 3 . 

Source. — By treating the Alkaloid with diluted Hydrochloric Acid, and 
crystallization. 

Characters. — White, silky, light and fine, needle-shaped crystals, odor- 
less, and having a very bitter taste. The salt is liable to lose water when 
exposed to warm air. Solubility. — In 34 parts of water, and in 3 parts of 
Alcohol ; also soluble in 9 parts of Chloroform.] 

Dose, 1 to 20 gr. 

7. [QUINIDINjE SULPHAS. Quinidine Sulphate. (C 20 H 24 N 2 O 2 ) 2 
H 2 S0 4 -f- 2H 2 = 780.42. The neutral sulphate of an alkaloid obtained 
from the bark of several species of Cinchona (nat. ord. Rubiacece). 

Source. — From the mother liquors after the crystallization of Quinina, 
by the same process as for Quinine. 

Characters. — White, silky needles, odorless, and having a very bitter 
taste; permanent in the air. Solubility.- In 100 parts of water, and in 8 parts 
of Alcohol ; also in 14 parts of Chloroform, and in acidulated water ; almost 
insoluble in Ether. 

Dose, 1 to 20 gr. 

8. CINCHONINA.— Cinchonine. C 19 H 22 N 2 = 293.41. 

Source. — By precipitation of the aqueous solution of the sulphate by 
Ammonia Water. 



QUININE. 389 

Characters. — White, lustrous prisms or needles, without odor, at first 
almost tasteless, but soon developing a bitter after-taste ; permanent in the air. 
Solubility, — In 3760 parts of water, and in 1 16 parts of Alcohol; also soluble 
in 526 parts of Ether, and in 163 parts of Chloroform. 

Dose, 1 to 30 gr.] 

9. CINCHONINiE SULPHAS.- Cinchonine Sulphate. (C 19 H 22 N 2 
0) 2 H 2 S0 4 -f 2H 2 G [= 720.56.] 

Source. — Obtained from the mother liquors after the crystallization of the 
Quinine, Quinidine, and Cinchonidine Sulphates by further concentration, preci- 
pitating the alkaloids by Caustic Soda, washing with Alcohol till free from other 
alkaloids, dissolving in Sulphuric Acid, purifying with animal charcoal, and 
crystallizing. 

Characters. — Hard, [white, lustrous, prismatic crystals, without odor, 
and having a very bitter taste; permanent in the air. Solubility . — In 66 parts 
of water, and in 10 parts of Alcohol; also soluble in 78 parts of Chloroform? 
but almost insoluble in Ether.] 

Dose, 1 to 30 gr. 

10. CINCHONIDINE SULPHAS.— Cinchonidine Sulphate. (C 19 
H 22 N 2 0) 2 H 2 S0 4 -f 3H 2 [= 738.52. The neutral sulphate of an alkaloid 
obtained from the bark of various species of Cinchona.] 

Source. — Obtained from the mother liquors after the crystallization of 
Quinine Sulphate by further concentration, purifying by crystallization from 
Alcohol, and finally from hot water. 

Characters. — [White, silky, acicular crystals, without odor, and having 
a very bitter taste ; slightly efflorescent on exposure to air. Solubility. — In 70 
parts of water, and in 66 parts of Alcohol ; also soluble in 13 16 parts of Chloro- 
form, and almost insoluble in Ether. The presence of sulphates of other Cin- 
chona Alkaloids increase its solubility in Ether and Chloroform.] 

Dose, 1 to 30 gr. 

Actions of Cinchona Bark and its Alkaloids. 

The action of cinchona bark is due almost entirely to the 
quinine in it ; the other alkaloids act in much the same way as 
this alkaloid, the sulphate, [bisulphate, hydrobromate] and hydro- 
chlorate of which produce the same effect as quinine itself. The 
following description will be that of the action of quinine sulphate, 
which is often called quinine. Any difference between it and the 
bark or the other alkaloids will be mentioned in the course of this 
description. 



390 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

External. — Quinine is a very powerful antiseptic. A solu- 
tion of i to 500 destroys many forms of micro-organisms, and a 
solution of 1 to 250 prevents fermentation and putrefaction. 
Quinine is very fatal to all low forms of animal and vegetable 
life. A solution of 1 in 1000 kills many infusoria. No effect is 
produced upon the sound skin by quinine, but it is irritant to a 
raw surface. . 

Internal. — Alimentary canal. — Quinine acts like any other 
bitter, such as calumba. The bitter taste is very marked ; in the 
mouth the gustatory nerves, and in the stomach the gastric nerves, 
are stimulated. This leads reflexly to an increase of the salivary 
and gastric secretions, and to greater vascularity and peristalsis of 
the stomach the appetite is sharpened and digestion is aided. 
Quinine is, therefore, a stomachic. These effects, of course, 
bring about a better absorption of food ; and hence, if digestion 
was previously feeble, the patient feels stronger after a course of 
quinine. In the stomach any quinine salt is converted into a 
chloride, some of which is probably absorbed here ; for in the 
intestines it would be precipitated by the alkaline secretions. It 
is often excreted unchanged in the faeces. 

Blood. — Quinine, as the chloride, is readily absorbed into the 
blood ; and although this is alkaline, it is not precipitated, being 
probably held in solution by the gases of the blood. It is not 
known that it undergoes any alteration there, but it produces 
some remarkable changes. 

{a) White corpuscles. — If the movements of the white cor- 
puscles are being watched in a drop of blood on the warm stage 
of the microscope, and some quinine is added, they at once cease. 
Again, if the mesentery of a living frog be put under the micro- 
scope, and slightly irritated so as to set up inflammation, emigra- 
tion of the white corpuscles through the capillary walls, or 
diapedesis, as it is called, will be observed ; if now some quinine 
be injected into the circulation this ceases, but those white cor- 
puscles that have already passed out wander further from their 
capillaries If the quinine be applied locally to the mesentery, 
directly the white corpuscles have passed through their capillaries 



QUININE. 391 

their movement is stopped, and the motionless corpuscles collect 
in large numbers around the capillaries. It is clear, therefore, 
that quinine has the power of arresting the movements of 
white blood-corpuscles. In sufficient quantity it appears 
actually to destroy them, f ov in a cat killed by quinine they are 
much fewer in number than in a healthy cat. 

(£) Red corpuscles. — Quinine is said to cause a diminution in 
the size of these, but this is most likely not strictly correct. In 
fever if the temperature is high, the red corpuscles are probably 
a little smaller than natural. If the temperature be reduced by 
any means the corpuscles regain their normal size. Quinine will 
reduce the temperature, but it probably has no special action on 
the corpuscles. 

(V) Acidity of the blood. — Blood outside the body gradually 
becomes acid. Quinine prevents this. 

(d) Ozonizing power. — If ozonized oil of turpentine be mixed 
with a tincture of guaiacum, nothing occurs ; but if a drop of 
blood be added, that transfers the ozone to the guaiacum, oxidizes 
it, and turns it blue. This ozonizing power of blood is pre- 
vented by the addition of quinine. 

(<?) The stability of oxyhemoglobin is strengthened by qui- 
nine, so that the blood does not yield up its oxygen as easily as 
normally, consequently it cannot absorb oxygen readily. This 
inability of haemoglobin to take up oxygen in the presence of 
quinine is parallel with its action on other varieties of protoplasm. 
For example, fungi absorb oxygen slowly if quinine be present, 
and thus fermentation may be prevented. Phosphorescent infu- 
soria (the phosphorescence is due to rapid oxidization) lose this 
property in the presence of quinine The ozonizing power of 
fresh vegetable juices is retarded by it. Quinine is, therefore, 
very constant and very powerful in interfering with oxidization. 

Circulation — Small doses of quinine probably increase the 
activity of the heart reflexly because they stimulate the stomach ; 
but large doses (larger than are given to man medicinally), either 
applied to the excised heart or circulating through it, directly 
paralyze the organ ; the pulse becomes slower and more feeble, 



392 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

and the heart is finally arrested in diastole. Whether it acts on 
the muscle or the ganglia is not known. Large doses lower the 
blood pressure considerably ; this is owing partly to the effect on 
the heart, but it is probable that this fall of arterial pressure is due 
in part also to the action of quinine on the blood-vessels. If the 
spleen is enlarged as a result of malarial fever, the administration 
of quinine, curing the fever, leads to a decrease in the size of the 
spleen, but it has no direct effect on this organ, as is often 
asserted. 

Respiration. — Although, as we have seen, quinine must, be- 
cause of its retardation of oxidation, have a powerful influence 
on internal respiration, diminishing the activity of metabolism, 
it has but a moderate effect on respiratory movements. Small 
doses slightly increase, large doses depress them. 

Temperature. — Quinine has no power over the healthy tem- 
perature, but that of fever is markedly reduced ; it is, therefore, 
an energetic antipyretic. Considering its direct capability of 
diminishing metabolism in the tissues, it seems fair to assume 
that the drug diminishes heat production, and that it does 
so by acting directly on the thermogenetic tissues ; but, as it 
acts on all protoplasm, it is quite likely that it may decrease 
heat production by also influencing the cerebral thermogenetic 
centres. 

Cerebrum. — Small doses are believed to stimulate cerebral 
activity. The results of experiments upon the action of quinine 
on the brain are so discordant as to be at present valueless. The 
effects of a large dose in man will be described under Cin- 
chonism. 

Spinal cord and nerves. — In frogs, quinine causes a lessening 
of reflex excitability, which is removed by section below the 
medulla ; but in large doses it produces a permanent diminu- 
tion of reflex excitability. In these animals quinine also first 
excites and then paralyzes the sensory nerves or their peripheral 
endings. The muscles are uninfluenced. These effects are not 
seen in man. 

Uterus.— It has often been stated that quinine will lead to 



QUININE. 393 

abortion, that it will, when labor has commenced, aid the expul- 
sion of the foetus, and that it will increase the menstrual flow if 
that is scanty. It appears that the first statement is certainly in- 
correct, and that the second and third are only correct for some 
women. 

Kidneys. — After a full dose of quinine it is found in the 
urine in half an hour, and is slowly excreted for several days, 
but by far the greater part is eliminated within the first forty- 
eight hours. The excretion of uric acid is greatly diminished, 
that of urea and other nitrogenous bodies in the urine is also 
considerably lessened. This confirms the statement already 
made that quinine retards considerably the metabolism of the 
body, but it should be stated that very little alteration is observed 
in the excretion of carbonic dioxide by the lungs. It is said 
that minute quantities of quinine are gotten rid of by all the 
secretions, as it may be detected in milk, saliva, bile, tears, 
etc., and it may be found in dropsical fluids if the patient has 
been taking it. 

Cinchonism. — In many persons a dose of ten grains or 
more of quinine produces a train of physiological symptoms, 
chiefly from its influence on the nervous system. The patient 
soon complains of ringing in the ears, fullness in the head, and 
slight deafness. With larger doses these symptoms increase, dis- 
turbances of vision and giddiness are added, he may stagger when 
he walks, and the headache may be very intense. 

Quinine is hardly ever given as a poison, but if it should be, 
all these symptoms of cinchonism will be very severe; the patient 
may be delirious and comatose, quite deaf and blind, and if he 
die it will be from collapse due to cardiac and respiratory failure. 
Great congestion of the middle ear and labyrinth is found in 
animals poisoned by quinine. The mild degrees of cinchonism 
pass off directly [after] the drug is discontinued. Rarely quinine 
causes an erythematous rash, and it has been known to give rise 
to epistaxis. Those who work among cinchona barks may have a 
rash on their skin from the mechanical irritation of the powder. 

Relative Action of the Alkaloids.— The other alkaloids 
34 



394 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

are quite similar in their action to quinine^ but they are not so 
powerful. Their relative antipyretic effect is quinine ioo, quini- 
dine 90, cinchonidine 70, cinchonine 40. 

Therapeutics. 

External. — Quinine is too expensive for use as an antiseptic. 

Internal. — Gastro-intestinal tract. — It is very largely used 
on account of its stomachic properties, chiefly for that variety of 
indigestion which is the outcome of general ill-health, want of 
fresh air, anaemia, etc., and not often when the stomach is the 
organ primarily at fault. The preparations of cinchona bark are 
very useful for this variety of dyspepsia; they contain quite 
enough of the alkaloids. The compound tincture has the advan- 
tage of containing other stomachics. Iron is very commonly 
given at the same time to correct the general condition. Quinine 
is frequently prescribed with the tincture of [ferric] chloride, there 
is always enough free acid in this to dissolve any preparation of 
quinine. The dose of quinine sulphate or hydrochlorate as a 
stomachic bitter is x / 2 to 2 gr. The hydrochlorate is often pre- 
ferred, as it is the more soluble. 

Antipyretic effect. — Quinine was commonly used as an antipy- 
retic, but it has now been replaced by more certain drugs, as 
phenacetin, acetanilid, and antipyrin. It is, however, a very 
fairly certain antipyretic. It is best given for this purpose in a 
single dose of 20 to 40 grains for an adult. Such large doses 
may be prescribed either as a solution of the hydrochlorate, or as 
the sulphate suspended in milk, [and at the same time sodium or 
potassium bromide should be administered to avoid the disagree- 
able tinnitus which is set up. The diluted hydrobromic acid is 
an excellent solvent, and, at the same time, will relieve the ring- 
ing in the ears.] About one or two hours elapse before the tem- 
perature begins to fall. Quinine is more efficacious in reducing 
a temperature just beginning to fall than a rising one. Hence, if 
possible, it should be administered two or three hours before the 
time at which previous experience of the particular case shows 
the temperature will probably attain its maximum; then the fall 



QUININE. 395 

will be more marked and last longer than if the drug had not 
been given. 

Specific action. — Quinine, and to a less extent the other cin- 
chona alkaloids, have the remarkable property of arresting the 
paroxysms of malarial fever. If 15 to 30 grains be taken about 
two to three hours before the attack is due, it will not take place, 
or it will be very mild, ['fa more prompt effect is desired, 
quinine carbamide, which is very soluble, can be administered 
hypodermatically ; a smaller dose, 5 to 8 grains, is usually suc- 
cessful in preventing the chill.] The same effect [may] be pro- 
duced if smaller doses, about 5 grains, have been taken four or 
five times a day during the period between the attacks. Not only 
is it thus prophylactic, but the continued use of it is curative. It 
is also preventative, even if the persons to whom it has been 
given have never had ague. For this purpose it is administered 
to soldiers and sailors who have to enter malarious regions, and 
it is then found that few of them get ague. If the disease is very 
severe it is best to give single large doses. 

If a person has once had ague, illnesses that he subsequently 
suffers from are liable to assume a malarial type. This is espe- 
cially the case with neuralgia, which is then peculiarly paroxysmal. 
It is often on the forehead, when it is called brow-ague. In such 
cases the effect of quinine is frequently very well marked, and a 
cure speedily takes place. Sometimes neuralgia which is not 
malarial is temporarily benefited. [It is believed] that quinine 
cures ague [by] preventing the segmentation of the micro-organism 
which exists in the blood in this malady. It has been given for 
a host of diseases, especially septicaemia, but there is not any 
evidence that it does good to any except those mentioned. The 
preparations of the bark contain so little quinine that they cannot 
be used as antipyretics or antiperiodics. 

Quinine should be avoided in (1) persons suffering from acute 
or subacute disease of the middle ear; (2) those suffering from 
gastro-intestinal irritation, which it may increase; (3) those peo- 
ple, occasionally met with, in whom quite small doses produce 
very severe symptoms of cinchonism. 



396 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Warburg 's tincture is a medicine which has a very high reputation in 
India for malaria. It has been called Tinctura Antiperiodica. The published 
formula states that it is a proof spirit tincture, containing Quinine Sulphate, 80; 
Socatrine Aloes, 100 ; Opium, I; Rhubarb, 32; Camphor, 8; with Angelica, 
Elecampane, Saffron, Fennel, Gentian, Zedoary, Cubeb, Myrrh, and Agaric 
as aromatics, with menstruum to 4000. Dose, I to 4 fl. dr. It is often prescribed 
to be made without the Aloes. 

SALICINUM. 

SALICIN. — C 13 H 18 7 [=:285.33. A neutral principle obtained from 
several species of Salix and Populus (nat. ord. Salicacece). Habitat. — Europe, 
naturalized in North America ; cultivated.] 

Source. — ( 1) Make a strong decoction of willow bark. (2) Remove the 
tannin by warming and agitating the decoction with Lead Oxide. (3) Evapo- 
rate the solution. Salicin crystallizes out, and is purified by repeated solution 
and crystallization. 

Characters. — Colorless, [or white, silky, shining crystalline needles, or 
a crystalline powder, odorless, and having a very bitter taste. Permanent in 
the air. Solubility. — In 28 parts of water, and in 30 parts of Alcohol ; almost 
insoluble in Ether or Chloroform.] 

Dose, 5 to 30 gr. 

ACIDUM SALICYLICUM. 

SALICYLIC ACID. — HC 7 H 5 3 [=i37.67. An organic acid, existing 
naturally, in combination, in various plants, see Oleum Gaultherise and Oleum 
Betulse Volatile ; but most largely prepared synthetically from Carbolic Acid. ] 

Source. — Made by combining Carbolic Acid with Carbon Dioxide Gas. 
Thus dry Carbon Dioxide is passed through Sodium Carbolate heated to 428 
F. 2NaC 6 H 5 0+C0 2 =Na 2 C 7 H 4 3 (Sodium Salicylate), +C 6 H 6 (Phenol). 
This is treated with Hydrochloric Acid. Na 2 C v H 4 3 -f 2HCl=2NaCl-f HC 7 
H 5 3 (Salicylic Acid). 

Characters. — [Light, fine, white, prismatic needles, or a light, white, 
crystalline powder; odorless, having a sweetish, afterwards acrid taste, and 
permanent in the air. Solubility. — In about 450 parts of water, and in 2.4 
parts of Alcohol ; also soluble in 2 parts of Ether, 2 parts of Absolute Alcohol, 
and 80 parts of Chloroform. ] Resembling artificial Salicylic Acid. — Strych- 
nine, but the crystals of Strychnine are larger, colorless, non -irritating, less sol- 
uble, solution very bitter. 

Incompatible. — Spirit of Nitrous Ether. 

Impurities. — Orthocreosotic and Metacreosotic Acids, only in artificial 
Salicylic Acid. 

Dose, 5 to 60 gr. 



SALICYLIC ACID. 397 

SODII SALICYLAS.— Sodium Salicylate. NaC 7 H 5 3 [=- 159.67.] 

Source. — Obtained by acting on Sodium Carbonate with Salicylic Acid. 
[2HC 7 H 3 3 +Na 2 C0 3 =2NaC 7 H 5 3 +H 2 0-fC0 2 . The solution may be 
strained through muslin and heated to expel the Carbon Dioxide.] 

Characters. — [A white, amorphous powder, odorless, and having a 
sweetish, saline taste. Permanent in cool air. Solubility. — In 0.9 part of 
water, and in 6 parts of Alcohol ; also soluble in Glycerin.] 

Impurities. — Orthocreosotic and Metacreosotic Acids. 

Dose, 5 to 60 gr. 

[LITHII SALICYLAS.— Lithium Salicylate. (LiC 7 H 5 3 =i43.68.) 

Source. — Obtained by heating Salicylic Acid, Lithium Carbonate, and 
water, until effervescence ceases, filtering and evaporating. Li 2 C0 3 -|-2HC 7 
H 5 3 =2LiC 7 H 5 3 4-H 2 0+C0 2 

Characters. — A white or grayish- white powder, odorless, and having a 
sweetish taste; deliquescent on exposure to air. Solubility. — Very soluble 
in water and in Alcohol. 

Dose, 1 to 15 gr.] 

Action of Salicin, Salicylic Acid and of Sodium and 
[Lithium] Salicylates. 

External. — Salicin and salicylic acid are antiseptics rather 
more powerful than carbolic acid. They are stimulant and mildly 
irritant to the skin. Locally applied, they check sweating. 
The salts of salicylic acid are not antiseptic. 

Internal. — Alimentary tract. — When inhaled or applied to 
the throat, salicylic acid is irritating, causing sneezing and cough. 
In the stomach also it is irritant, giving rise to pain, nausea, and 
vomiting unless well diluted. The sodium [and lithium] salts and 
salicin are much less irritating. The glucoside salicin is in the 
bowel converted into glucose and saligenin (C 7 H 8 2 ), and this is 
further decomposed into salicylic acid, salicyluric acid (HC 9 H 8 
N0 4 ), and salicylous acid (HC 7 H 5 2 ). 

Blood. — Salicylic acid, whether taken directly or formed in 
the bowel from the decomposition of salicin, is rapidly absorbed 
in spite of its insolubility, and therefore it is probably taken up 
-as sodium salicylate; at least, this is the form in which it cir- 
culates in the blood, and consequently the following description 
will apply whether salicin, salicylic acid, or sodium salicylate has 



39& ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

been taken. It has been thought also to exist in the blood as an 
albuminate, but of this there is no evidence, nor for the theory 
that when the sodium salicylate meets with carbonic acid, salicylic 
acid is set free. Some of the salicylic acid of the sodium salt 
unites with glycocoll, forming salicyluric acid, which appears in 
the urine, Thus: HC 7 H 5 O s +C 2 H 5 N0 2 (glycocoll)=HC 9 H 8 NO, 
(salicyluric acid)-f-H 2 0. It will be noticed that this change is 
precisely analogous to the conversion of benzoic into hippuric 
acid by its union with glycocoll. 

Heart. — Salicin and salicylic acid are often stated to depress 
the force of the heart and cause a fall of blood-pressure. Careful 
comparison shows that salicin is not nearly so depressant as the 
acid — in fact it is probable that it has not this action at all, unless 
given in toxic doses. Further, natural salicylic acid is not so 
depressant as the artificial variety. For example, Charteris found 
that 30 grains of salicin, or 10 grains of natural salicylic acid, or 
32 grains of natural sodium salicylate had no injurious effect on 
a rabbit, but that much smaller doses than these of the artificial 
acid or its salt killed the animal. The artificial variety was found 
to contain orthocreosotic and metacreosotic acids, and these are 
powerful cardiac depressants. Thus it seems probable that 
the depressing effects commonly ascribed to salicylic acid are 
really due to the impurities of the artificial form. 

Respiration. — Moderate doses have very little effect on respi- 
ration. Toxic doses strongly depress it. 

Temperature. — In medicinal doses salicin and salicylic acid 
have no influence on the temperature of man, in toxic doses they 
slightly lower it ; but they readily depress a febrile temperature, 
and are therefore called antipyretics. They cause a slight 
increase of perspiration, but this is not sufficient to explain the 
fall. 

Salicylic acid and salicin are antiperiodic. 

Nervous system. — We know little of the effect of salicylic 
acid on the individual parts of the nervous system. The clinical 
symptoms known as salicylism will be described presently. 

Kidney. — Salicylic acid escapes chiefly through the kidneys. 



SALICYLIC ACID. 399 

It has been stated also to leave the body by the sweat, the saliva, 
the bronchial secretions, and the faeces. It appears in the urine 
very soon after its ingestion (in from 10 to 30 minutes), but the 
elimination goes on slowly. It is excreted as salicyluric acid and 
sodium salicylate, which is split up by the phosphoric acid in the 
urine, yielding salicylic acid. The dark greenish color of the 
urine sometimes seen is due to small quantities of either indican 
or pyrocatechin. Occasionally salicylic acid causes haematuria, 
due to congestion of the kidneys. Probably it increases the nitro- 
genous elimination. It renders the urine aseptic, and the salicy- 
luric acid in that fluid will reduce Fehling's solution. The urine of 
patients taking it gives a purple color with [ferric] chloride. 
Salicylism. — In about 60 per cent, of the persons to whom 
salicylic acid or its salt is given a train of symptoms is produced 
to which the above name has been applied. They are very like 
those produced by quinine. It is probable that the cause of them 
is the impurities existing in artificial salicylic acid, but it is stated 
that the natural acid may give rise to them. The commonest is 
deafness, which is often accompanied by ringing in the ears ; 
[these symptoms may be relieved by the administration of a small 
amount of alcoholic stimulant fifteen minutes before each dose.] 
Headache is also very frequent. The administration of the drug 
is usually stopped when these symptoms show themselves, but if 
it is continued the patient becomes violently delirious, there is 
nausea and vomiting, the face is flushed, and the other symptoms 
increase in severity. The pulse falls in both frequency and 
force, it becomes irregular, epistaxis is common, and haemor- 
rhages from other parts of the body have been recorded, such 
as haematuria and retinal haemorrhages. Albuminuria without 
haematuria has been observed. One of the rarest symptoms is 
erythema or urticaria. All this while the breathing has been 
becoming weaker, and death may take place either from cessation 
of the heart or the respiratory movements. 

Therapeutics. 
External. — The ointment [official in B.P., 1 part of the acid 
to 9 of hard and 18 of soft paraffin] may be used when an anti- 



400 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

septic stimulating ointment is required. A collodion composed of 
salicylic acid, a drachm; collodium flexile, an ounce; a glycerin 
containing 10 per cent, of salicylic acid; and a plaster, also 10 
per cent., are good preparations. Strong applications of salicylic 
acid are very useful for removing excess of epidermis, warts, or 
corns. Powdered salicylic acid mixed with starch or chalk may 
be employed to check profuse perspiration of the feet and axillae. 
The German Pharmacopoeia has for this purpose a Pulvis Salicyli- 
cus cum Talco (salicylic acid, 3; wheaten starch, 10; talc, in 
powder, 87). The sweats of phthisis may be treated in the same 
way. A little salicylic acid is often added to Thompson's fluid 
(see p. 241). 

Internal. — Salicylic acid is a specific for rheumatic fever; it 
lowers the temperature, lessens the swelling, leads to a rapid ces- 
sation of pain, and [may] diminish the liability to pericarditis and 
other complications. It must be given well diluted to prevent 
dyspepsia. The sodium salt is often preferred as being the most 
soluble, but in order to diminish the risk of salicylism it should 
be prepared from natural salicylic acid. If the attack is severe, 
20 grains every two or three hours should be given for the first 
twelve or twenty-four hours ; then, if the patient is doing well, 
the frequency of the dose may be gradually diminished, but it 
should be continued thrice daily for ten days after the tempera- 
ture is normal and the pain has ceased. Salicin is not so power- 
ful as sodium salicylate, but it is said to be less depressant than 
the synthetic acid. 

These preparations are of no use for gout or osteo-arthritis. 
Salicylic acid or salicin may produce a fall of temperature in 
any fever, but, as we have more certain antipyretics, they are not 
used except for rheumatic fever. Some writers have found salicylic 
acid useful in migraine, sciatica, diabetes, «nd diphtheria, but it 
is probably of little value for these disorders. It has been given 
to render the urine acid in cases of alkaline urine and cystitis, 
but there are better remedies for this purpose. 

[OLEUM BETULiE VOLATILE. 

VOLATILE OIL OF BETULA. Synonym. Oil of Sweet Birch. 
A volatile oil obtained by distillation from the bark of Betula lenta Linne 



METHYL SALICYLATE. 4<DI 

(Sweet Birch; nat. ord. Betulaccce). Habitat. — Northern United States. It 
is identical with Methyl Salicylate (CH 3 C 7 H 5 3 =i5r. 64), and nearly identical 
with Od of Gaultheria. 

Characters. — It has the same properties and conforms to the same reac- 
tions and tests as Methyl Salicylate {see Methyl Salicylas ; also Oleum Gaul- 
therise). 

Dose, 1 to 5 m. 

OLEUM GAULTHERIA. 

OIL OF GAULTHERIA. Synonym.— Oil of Wintergreen. A 
volatile oil distilled from the leaves of Gaultheria pro cumb ens Linne (Winter- 
green; nat. ord. Ericacece), consisting almost entirely of Methyl Salicylate 
(CH 3 C 7 H 5 3 = 151.64) and nearly identical with Volatile Oil of Betula. 
Habitat. — North America, west to Minnesota, and south to Georgia. 

Characters. — A colorless or yellow, or occasionally reddish liquid, 
having a characteristic, strongly aromatic odor, and a sweetish, warm and aro- 
matic taste. Sp. gr.: 1.175 to 1. 185. Boiling point : 218 to 221° C. (424.4 
F. to 429. 8° F.). It deviates polarized light slightly to the left. In other re- 
spects it has the same properties and conforms to the same reactions and 
tests as Methyl Salicylate {see Methyl Salicylas ; also Oleum Betulse Volatile). 

Dose, 1 to 5 m. 

Preparation. 

Spiritus Gaultheriae. — Spirit of Gaultheria. Oil of Gaultheria, 
50 ; Alcohol, 950. 

Dose, 1 to 2 fl. dr. 

METHYL SALICYLAS. 

METHYL SALICYLATE.— CH 3 C 7 H 5 3 = 151.64. Synonym.— 
Artificial (or Synthetic) Oil of Wintergreen. Methyl Salicylate, produced syn- 
thetically by distilling Salicylic Acid, or a salicylate, with Methyl Alcohol and 
strong Sulphuiic Acid. 

Characters. — A colorless or slightly yellowish liquid, having the char- 
acteristic, strongly aromatic odor and the sweetish, warm and aromatic taste of 
the Oil of Gaultheria, with the essential constituent of which it is identical. 
It is wholly identical with Volatile Oil of Betula {see Oleum Betula; Volatile). 
Sp.gr.: 1.183-1.185. Boiling point : 2i9°-22i° C. (426.2°-429.8° F.) It is 
optically inactive. Solubility. — In all proportions in Alcohol, Glacial Acetic 
Acid, or Carbon Disulphide. 

Dose, 1 to 5 m. 

Action and Uses. 

The action of these substances is the same as of salicylic acid. 
When taken in moderate quantities, they are, like that acid^ broken 



402 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

up and eliminated as salicyluric acid. It is asserted that methyl 
salicylate can be produced of more uniform quality and is more 
certain and definite in its action than either of the natural oils. 
The uses of these drugs is the same as of salicylic acid, and they 
possess the additional advantage that they are not liable to con- 
tamination with impurities (ortho- and metacreosotic acids) which 
are powerful cardiac depressants and which are found in the 
artificial salicylic acid] 

SALOL. 

SALOL.— [C 6 H 5 C 7 H 5 3 == 213.49. Synonym.— Phenyl Salicylate. The 
Salicylic Ether of Phenol. 

Source. — By heating Salicylic Acid with Phenol in the presence of 
Phosphorus Pentachloride ; this action dehydrates and withdraws the elements 
of water, and unites the Phenyl group with the Salicylic Acid radical. 

Characters. — A white, crystalline powder, odorless, or having a faintly 
aromatic odor, and almost tasteless. Permanent in the air. Solubility. - Almost 
insoluble in water; soluble in 10 parts of Alcohol; also soluble in 0.3 part of 
Ether, and readily in Chloroform, and in fixed or volatile oils. 

Dose, 5 to 30 gr.] 

Action and Therapeutics. 

In the body, [presumably in the small intestine,] salol splits up 
into [phenol (about 36,) and salicylic acid (64 per cent.),] and the 
former renders the urine dark. In rheumatic fever it is efficacious 
on account of the salicylic acid it contains, [although somewhat 
slower in action, but it has no advantage over salicin or salicylic 
acid,] and the carboluria may be troublesome. 

[It is an antiseptic, and since this decomposition takes place 
in an alkaline fluid, it has been used as an intestinal antiseptic in 
acute diarrhoea, dysentery, cholera and other diseases; also in 
affections of the bladder and urethra. It is a remedy of very 
great value in the treatment of typhoid fever, for by the active 
disinfection of the contents of the intestine and of the ulcerations, 
it favors their healing and prevents reinfection, thus lowering 
temperature, diminishing the liability to relapse and to permanent 
damage to tissues. It is the logical treatment, because it destroys 
the cause of the symptoms, at their point of origin. On account 



HYDRASTIS. 4O3 

of the large proportion of phenol which it contains it is more 

dangerous than the corresponding amount of salicylic acid, and 

it is especially to be used with great caution if the kidneys are 

diseased.] 

HYDRASTIS. 

HYDRASTIS.— [Synonym, — Golden Seal. The rhizome and roots of 
Hydrastis canadensis Linne (nat. ord. Ranunculacccs). Habitat. — North 
America, west to Missouri and Arkansas, in woodlands. 

Characters. — Rhizome about 4 cm. long and 6 mm. thick; oblique, 
with short branches, somewhat annulate and longitudinally wrinkled; exter- 
nally brownish -gray ; fracture short, waxy, bright reddish-yellow, with a 
thickish bark, about ten narrow wood-wedges, broad medullary rays, and 
large pith. Roots thin, brittle, with a thick, yellow bark and subquadrangular, 
woody centre. Odor slight ; taste bitter.] 

Composition. — It contains — (1) Berberine, [C 20 H 17 NO 4 an alkaloid ex- 
isting as yellow prismatic crystals, and is found in many plants (Berberis, 
Coptis, Menispermum, Xanthorrhiza, Xanthoxylum, etc.), chiefly in the orders 
Berberacece, Menispermacece, and Ranunculacecs, It is identical with Buxine, 
the alkaloid of Buxus sempervirens, and Pelosine, that of Chondodendron tor- 
mentosum (Pareira). (2) Hydrastine, C 21 H 21 N0 6 , soluble in Alcohol and 
Ether. (3) Canadine, C 21 H 21 N0 4 , in white needles.] 

Dose, 5 to 60 gr. 

Preparations. 

1. Extractum Hydrastis [Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Hydras- 
tis. By maceration and percolation with Alcohol, Glycerin and water, 
and evaporation.] 

Dose, 5 to 60 m. 

2. Tinctura Hydrastis. — [Tincture of Hydrastis. Hydrastis, 
200; by maceration and percolation with diluted Alcohol to 1000. 

Dose, yi to 2 fl. dr. 

3. Glyceritum Hydrastis. — Glycerite of Hydrastis. Hydrastis, 
by percolation and maceration with Alcohol, distill off the Alcohol, add 
water, filter, and to the filtrate add an equal volume of Glycerin. 

HYDRASTININ^E HYDROCHLORAS.— Hydrastinine Hydro 
chlorate. C 11 H 11 N0 2 HC1 = 224.97. The hydrochlorate of an artificial alka- 
loid derived from Hydrastine, the latter being a colorless alkaloid obtained 
from Hydrastis. 

Source. — By acting upon hydrastine by oxidizing agents, as when Man- 
ganese Dioxide and Sulphuric Acid are used together, or when Platinic 
Chloride is employed. 



4O4 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Characters. — Light yellow, amorphous granules, or a pale yellow, crys- 
talline powder, odorless, and having a bitter, saline taste ; deliquescent on 
exposure to damp air. Solubility. — In 0.3 part of water, and in 3 parts of 
Alcohol; with difficulty soluble in Ether or Chloroform. 

Dose, T \ to 1 gr.] 

Action. 

The chief alkaloid is berberine which, in moderate doses, acts 
as a gastric bitter, promoting the appetite, stimulating the gastric 
secretions, and peristalsis. Hydrastis increases the flow of bile 
and urine. It will contract the unstriped muscles of arteries and 
the uterus, and it is therefore haemostatic. It is mildly anti- 
periodic. In poisonous doses it stops the heart, causing a great 
fall of blood-pressure. 

Therapeutics. 

External. — Hydrastis is employed empirically as a local 
stimulating application in chronic inflammations, such as un- 
healthy ulcers. It is used also as a lotion in hyperidrosis, acne, 
and seborrhcea. 

Internal. — The chief use of hydrastis is that it is empirically 
administered for chronic inflammations of mucous membranes. 
It is said to be especially valuable for uterine affections, in the 
chronic gastritis of drunkenness, and to a rather less degree in 
other forms of chronic gastro-intestinal catarrh. As an injection 
or lotion it is employed (either preparation diluted with an equal 
part of water) for chronic nasal catarrh, otorrhcea, leucorrhcea, 
gonorrhoea, and as a mouth wash in aphthous stomatitis, chronic 
pharyngitis, etc. [The fluid extract] has been given to stop uterine 
haemorrhage, [with great success. From hydrastine by oxidation, 
hydrastinine hydrochlorate has been made, which is an excellent 
remedy for menorrhagia and metorrhagia and which is likely to 
have an extensive use]. As an antiperiodic, hydrastis is far infe- 
rior to quinine. 



PRUNE, FIG. 405 



GROUP V. 

Vegetable Purgatives. 

Class I. — Laxatives. 

Prune, Fig, Tamarind, Cassia [Fistula,] Manna, [Phytolacca, 
Eupatorium,] Castor Oil (small doses). 

Class II. — Simple purgatives. 

Castor Oil, Rhubarb, [Juglans,] Senna, Frangula, [Rhamnus Pur- 
shiana], Aloes. 

Class III. — Drastic purgatives. 

Scammony, Jalap, [Bryonia, Croton Oil,] Colocynth, Elaterium, 
Gamboge. 

Class IV. — Cholagogues. 

Podophyllum, [Leptandra, Iris,] Euonymus. 

Class I. 
PRUNUM. 

PRUNE. — The [fruit of Prunus domestica Linne (nat. ord. Rosaceci). 
Habitat. — Western Asia ; cultivated in many varieties. 

Characters. — Oblong or subglobular, about 3 cm. long, shrivelled, 
blackish-blue, glaucous; the sarcocarp brownish-yellow, sweet and acidulous; 
putamen hard, smooth, or irregularly ridged ; the seed almond-like in shape, 
but smaller, and of a bitter- almond taste.] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Sugar, [12 to 25 per 
cent.] (2) Malic Acid, and (3) a purgative principle. 

Prunes are contained in Confectio Sennge. 

Dose, they can be administered freely. 

Action and Therapeutics. 

Prunes are nutritive and slightly laxative. They may be eaten 
as articles of diet in cases of slight constipation. [They are used 
as a corrective for senna in the decoction and confection.] 

FICUS. 

FIG. — The [fleshy receptacle of Ficus Carica Linn6 (nat. ord. Urticacece), 
bearing fruit upon its inner surface. Habitat. — Western Asia; cultivated in 
subtropical countries. 

Characters. — Compressed, of irregular shape, fleshy, brownish or 



406 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

yellowish, covered with an efflorescence of sugar; of a sweet, fruity odor, and 
a very sweet, mucilaginous taste. When softened in water, Figs are pear- 
shaped, with a scar or short stalk at the base, and a small, scaly orifice at the 
apex; hollow internally; the inner surface covered with numerous yellowish, 
hard achenes.] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (i) Sugar, 62 per cent.; (2) 
Gum; (3) Fat and Salts. 

Figs are contained in Confectio Sennae. 

Dose, they can be administered freely. 

Action and Therapeutics. 

Figs are a pleasant food and mildly purgative, forming a con- 
venient remedy for slight constipation. 

TAMARINDUS. 

TAMARIND. — The [preserved pulp of the fruit of Tamarindus indica 
Linne (nat. ord. Leguminosce). Habitat. — India and tropical Africa; natur- 
alized in the West Indies. 

Characters. — A reddish -brown, sweet, subacid, pulpy mass, containing 
strong, somewhat branching fibres, and polished, brown, flattish-quadrangular 
seeds, each enclosed in a tough membrane; taste sweet and refreshingly 
acidulous.] 

Impurity.- Copper. 

Composition. — (1) Tartaric, [Citric, Malic and Acetic Acids; (2) Sugar; 
(3) Pectin; (4) Tannin and (5) Potassium compounds.] 

Tamarind is contained in Confectio Sennae. 

Dose. — They can be administered freely. 

Action and Therapeutics. 

Tamarind is pleasant and acid to the taste, and a mild laxa- 
tive. It may be made into tamarind whey (1 part of tamarind 
to 30 of milk) and given as an acid, cooling, slightly purgative 
drink in fevers. It is a good purgative for children, and may be 
spread on bread and butter. 

CASSIA FISTULA. 

CASSIA [FISTULA.— Synonym.— Purging Cassia. The fruit of 
Cassia Fistula Linne (nat. ord. Leguminosce'). Habitat. — East India ; natural- 
ized in tropical Africa and /Vmerica. 

Characters. — Cylindrical, 40 to 60 cm. long, nearly 25 mm. in diameter, 



MANNA, PHYTOLACCA. 4O7 

blackish-brown, somewhat veined, the sutures smooth, forming two longitudinal 
bands; indehiscent, internally divided transversely into numerous cells, each 
containing a reddish-brown, glossy, flattish-ovate seed imbedded in a blackish- 
brown, sweet pulp; odor resembling that of Prunes.] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — ( 1 ) A purgative principle, 
Cathartic Acid, a Glucoside. {See Senna, p. 414.) [(2) Sennapicrin, a Glu- 
coside, C 34 H 58 O r ] (3) Sugar, 60 per cent. (4) [Pectin. (5) Salts (Cal- 
cium Oxalate.)] 

Cassia is contained in Confectio Sennse. 

Dose, 1 to 8 dr. 

Action and Therapeutics. 

[The pulp is administered as] a laxative, only given in con- 
fection of senna. 

MANNA. 

MANNA. — The concrete, saccharine exudation [of Fraxinus Ornus 
Linne (nat. ord. Oleacece.) Habitat. — Basin of the Mediterranean. 

Characters. — In flattish, somewhat three-edged pieces, occasionally 20 
cm. long, and 5 cm. broad, usually smaller; friable; externally yellowish- 
white, internally white, porous and crystalline ; or in fragments of different 
sizes, brownish-white and somewhat glutinous on the surface, internally white 
and crystalline; odor honey-like; taste sweet, slightly bitter and faintly acrid ] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are— (1) Mannit, [C 6 H 8 (OH) 6 , 90 
per cent. (2) Glucose. (3) Fraxin, C 32 H 36 O 20 . (4) Mucilage. (5) Resin.] 

Manna is contained in Infusum Sennae Compositum. 

Dose, }4 to 2 oz. 

Action and Therapeutics. 

Manna is given as a mild laxative to children. It dissolves 
easily in milk, and is pleasant to the taste. 

[PHYTOLACCA. 

PHYTOLACCA FRUCTUS. — Phytolacca Fruit. Synonym.— Poke 
Berry. The fruit of Phytolacca decandra Linne (nat. ord. Phytolaccaceoe.) 
Habitat. — North America; naturalized in Europe. 

Characters. — A depressed globular, dark purple, compound berry, 
about 8 mm. in diameter, composed of ten carpels, each containing one lenti- 
cular, black seed ; juice purplish-red ; inodorous ; taste sweet, slightly acrid. 

Constituents. — (1) Phytolaccic Acid. (2) Sugar. (3) Gum. 

Dose, 5 to 30 gr. 



408 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

PHYTOLACCA RADIX.— Phytolacca Root. Synonym.— Poke 
Root. The root of Phytolacca decandra Linne (nat. ord. Phytolaccacece.) 

Characters. — Large, conical, branched and fleshy; mostly in transverse 
or longitudinal slices, wrinkled, grayish, hard; fracture fibrous, the wood- 
bundles in several distinct, concentric circles; inodorous; taste sweetish and 
acrid. 

Constituents. — (i) Resin. (2) Probably a Glucoside. (3) A volatile 
acid. 

Dose (emetic), 5 to 30 gr. ; (alterative) 1 to 5 gr. 

Preparation. 
Extractum Phytolaccse Radicis Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of 
Phytolacca Root. By maceration and percolation with Alcohol and 
water, and evaporation. 
Dose, 5 to 30 m. 

Uses. 

Phytolacca is used as an emetic and purgative, and it possesses 
also some narcotic properties. Recently a preparation made from 
the berries has been used to reduce adipose tissue. 
EUPATORIUM. 

EUPATORIUM. — Synonym. — Thoroughwort, Boneset. The leaves 
and flowering tops of Eupatorium perfoliatum, Linne (nat. ord. Composites.) 
Habitat. — North America, west to Dakota; in low grounds. 

Characters. — Leaves opposite, united at the base, lanceolate, from 10 
to 15 cm. long, tapering, crenately serrate, rugosely veined, rough above, 
downy and resinous dotted beneath; flower-heads corymbed, numerous, with 
an oblong involucre of lance-linear scales, and with from ten to fifteen white 
florets, having a bristly pappus in a single row ; odor weak and aromatic ; 
taste astringent and bitter. 

Composition. — Its principal constituent is (1) a Glucoside, Eupatorin. 
(2) Volatile Oil. (3) Resin. 

Dose, % to 1 dr. 

Preparation. 

Extractum Eupatorii Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Eupatorium. 
By maceration and percolation with diluted Alcohol, and evaporation. 
Dose, X to 1 fl. dr. 

Action and Uses. 
Thoroughwort is tonic, diaphoretic, and aperient. It is a 
domestic remedy for the commencement of a catarrh, influenza, 
or muscular rheumatism. 



CASTOR OIL. 4O9 

Class II. 
OLEUM RICINI. 

CASTOR OIL. — [A fixed oil expressed from the seed of Ricinits com- 
munis Linne (nat. ord. Euphorbiacecz). Habitat. — India ; cultivated. 

Characters. — A pale yellowish or almost colorless, transparent, viscid 
liquid, having a faint, mild odor, and a bland, afterwards slightly acrid, and 
generally offensive taste. Sp. gr. : 0.950 to 0.970. Solubility. — In an equal 
volume of Alcohol, and, in all proportions, in absolute Alcohol, or in glacial 
Acetic Acid; also soluble in 3 times its volume of a mixture of 19 volumes 
of Alcohol and I volume of water (absence of more than about 5 per cent, 
of most other fixed oils). 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Ricinolein, C 3 H 5 (C 18 H 34 
3 ) 3 , which is the Ricinoleic Acid Glyceride, C 18 H 34 3 .] This constitutes the 
chief bulk. (2) Other fixed oils, as palmitin, stearin, etc. 

Dose, ^ to 2 fl. oz. 

Castor oil is contained in Collodium Flexile and Linimentum Sinapis 
Compositum. 

Castor oil seeds are not official, but it is important to recognize them. 
They are [17 mm.] long and [8 mm] wide, ovoid, flattened. The seed is pro- 
longed into a sharp beak. Epidermis shiny gray, marked by brownish bands 
and spots. Kernel white. They contain 50 per cent, of the oil, and an acrid 
substance which makes them poisonous Three Castor oil seeds have been 
known to kill an adult man. 

Action. 

External. — Castor oil is, like olive oil, protective and seda- 
tive, and may be used to drop into the eye when the conjunctiva 
is inflamed, and as a solvent for homatropine, but this solution is 
occasionally a little irritating. 

Internal. — Gastro-intestinal tract.- — The so-called nasty taste 
of castor oil is mostly due to the smell, and is not noticed much 
if the nose is held when the oil is drunk. Medicinal doses pro- 
duce no effect on the stomach. Reaching the intestine the oil is 
an excellent simple laxative or mild purgative, acting in about 
five hours, and causing no griping nor subsequent constipation. 
The motion is soft but not liquid. Castor oil will purge even 
when rubbed into the skin. How it acts is unknown. It has 
been thought that the [ricinolein (ricinoleic acid glyceride)] in 
the oil is decomposed in the duodenum, and the ricinoleic acid 
35 



4IO ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

purges, but this is probably incorrect. The most likely view is 
that the oil contains some purgative principle which has not yet 
been isolated. Probably the seeds contain much more of this 
than the oil, for they are ten times more purgative, a fact which 
it is impossible to explain if it is the ricinoleic acid which purges. 
Castor oil will purge when given per rectum. 

Mammary glands.— [The leaves] applied locally to the breasts 
are said to be galactagogue. 

Therapeutics. 

Castor oil is perhaps the best simple purgative we have, and 
is very useful in cases in which there is slight temporary consti- 
pation. Being mild in its action it is very suitable for getting 
rid of undigested food that is causing diarrhoea, and a dose of 
castor oil with a minute quantity of laudanum in it is a favorite 
remedy for certain forms of diarrhoea. It is also especially con- 
venient in pregnancy, after delivery, and when in any abdominal 
disease, as typhoid fever, peritonitis, or when, after abdominal 
operations, the irritation caused by the faeces makes it absolutely 
necessary to get the bowels open. Also it is very useful for chil 
dren, or for very old or infirm persons, or for those suffering from 
piles or fissures. It is a good purgative to give before and after 
the use of anthelmintics, [aspidium being excepted.] 

Its nauseous taste is the only objection to it. As already 
mentioned, this can largely be overcome by holding the nose, 
and there are many forms of castor oil in the market so prepared 
as to be almost colorless and odorless. It may be taken in cap- 
sules, but they are bulky. Lemon juice or coffee conceals the 
taste to some extent, or the oil may be added to a teaspoonful of 
peppermint water, and then a little brandy added till the oil 
neither sinks nor swims. If the inside and rim of the glass are 
moistened with the vehicle, the oil, which should, if possible, be 
between two layers of the vehicle, is hardly tasted. 

As an enema (castor oil i g , warm mucilage of starch 1 1 g , 
mixed thoroughly) it is useful when a mild injection is required. 

Breasts. — The leaves of the castor-oil plant applied to the 



RHUBARB, 411 

breasts will sometimes induce the secretion of milk. - A fluid ex- 
tract of them may also be taken three or four times a day. 

RHEUM. 

RHUBARB. — The root [of Rheum officinale Baillon (nat. ord. Poly- 
gonacece). Habitat. — Western and Central China. 

Characters. — In cylindrical, conical or flattish segments, deprived of 
the dark brown, corky layer, smoothish or somewhat wrinkled, externally 
covered with a bright yellowish-brown powder, marked with white, elongated 
meshes, containing a white, rather spongy tissue, and a number of short, red- 
dish-brown or brownish-yellow striae ; compact, hard ; fracture uneven ; inter- 
nally white, with numerous red, irregularly-curved and interrupted medullary 
rays, which are radially parallel only near the cambium line ; odor somewhat 
peculiar, aromatic ; taste bitter, somewhat astringent 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Chrysophan, C 27 H S0 O u , 
which yields Chrysophanic Acid, C 15 H ]0 O 4 [Synonyms, — Rhein, Chrysarobin, 
see Chrysarobinum). (2) Erythrorelin. (3) Emodin. (4) Phceoretin. (5) 
Aporetin.~\ (6) Rheotannic Acid, C 26 H 26 O u , to which the astringency of Rhu- 
barb is due. (7) Lime Oxalate, 35 per cent., to which the grittiness is due. 

Impurities. — English Rhubarb; different taste, smell, and excess of 
starch. Turmeric which is turned brown by Boric Acid. 

Dose, 1 to 5 gr. (stomachic), 10 to 30 gr. (purgative). 

Preparations. 

1. Extractum Rhei. — [Extract of Rhubarb. By percolation with 
Alcohol and water and evaporation. 

Dose, 3 to 15 gr. 

%. Extractum Rhei Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Rhubarb. By 
maceration and percolation with Alcohol and water, and evaporation. 

Dose, X to 1 fl. dr. 

It is used to make Mistura Rhei et Sodse and Syrupus Rhei. 

3. Pilulae Rhei. — Pills of Rhubarb. Rhubarb, 20; soap, 6 gm., 
to make loo pills. Each pill contains 3 gr. of Rhubarb. 

Dose, 1 to 5 pills. 

4. Pilulae Rhei Compositae. — Compound Pills of Rhubarb. 
Rhubarb, 13; purified Aloes, 10; Myrrh, 6 gm. ; Oil of Peppermint, 
0.5 c.c, to make 100 pills. Each pill contains 2 gr. of Rhubarb. 

Dose, 1 to 3 pills. 

5. Pulvis Rhei Compositus. — Compound Powder of Rhubarb.] 
Synonym — Gregory's powder. [Rhubarb, 25 ; Magnesia, 65 ; ginger, 10. 

Dose, j^ to 1 dr. 



412 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

6. Tinctura Rhei. — Tincture of Rhubarb. Rhubarb, ioo; Car- 
damom, 20 ; Glycerin, loo; Alcohol and water to 1000; by maceration 
and percolation. 

Dose, y z to 1 fl. dr. (stomachic), 1 to 4 fl. dr. (purgative). 

7. Tinctura Rhei Aromatica. — Aromatic Tincture of Rhubarb. 
Rhubarb, 200 ;■ Cassia cinnamon, 40; cloves, 40; nutmeg, 20; Gly- 
cerin, 100; diluted Alcohol to 1000. By maceration and percolation. 

Dose, 1 to 3 fl. dr. 

It is used to make Syrupus Rhei Aromaticus. 

8. Tinctura Rhei Dulcis. — Sweet Tincture of Rhubarb. Rhu- 
barb, ioo; Glycyrrhiza, 40; Anise, 40; Cardamom, 10; Glycerin, 100 ; 
diluted Alcohol to 1000. By maceration and percolation. 

Dose, ^ to 1 fl. oz. 

9. Mistura Rhei et Sodae. — Mixture of Rhubarb and Soda. 
Sodium Bicarbonate, 35; Fluid Extract of Rhubarb 15; Fluid Extract 
of Ipecac, 3; Spirit of Peppermint, 25; Glycerin, 350; water to 1000. 
By solution. 

Dose, ^ to 2 fl. oz. 

10. Syrupus Rhei.— Syrup of Rhubarb. Fluid Extract of Rhu- 
barb, 100; Potassium Carbonate, 10 ; Spirit of Cinnamon, 4 : Glycerin, 
50; water and syrup to 1000. By solution. 

Dose, 1 to 4 fl. dr. 

11. Syrupus Rhei Aromaticus. — Aromatic Syrup of Rhubarb. 
Aromatic Tincture of Rhubarb, 150; syrup, 850. By mixture. 

Dose, 1 fl. dr. for child.] 

Action. 

External. — Probably rhubarb would have, to a mild degree, 
the same action as [chrysarobin], but it is never applied ex- 
ternally. 

Internal. — Alimentary canal. — In the mouth, rhubarb in- 
creases the flow of saliva ; and in the stomach, in small doses, 
it, like any other bitter substance, stimulates the flow of gastric 
juice, and the vascularity and peristaltic movements of the stom- 
ach. It is, therefore, a stomachic, and will aid digestion. In 
large doses it causes purgation, producing in from four to eight 
hours a liquid motion, colored yellow by the chrysophan. The 
resinous constituents of rhubarb are said to increase the flow of 
bile, but certainly its cholagogue action is not sufficiently power- 



JUGLANS. 413 

ful to completely explain its purgative properties. It is com- 
monly stated to very actively exaggerate intestinal peristalsis, but 
there is no adequate proof of this. It is liable to gripe. The 
purgation is followed by constipation ; this is ascribed to the 
rheotannic acid : if so, it is probably absorbed and subsequently 
re-excreted into the intestines, otherwise it would all be swept 
away in the purging. 

Kidneys. — The coloring matter is excreted in the urine and 
stains it yellow. The urinary flow is slightly increased. 

Therapeutics. 

Rhubarb is commonly given to children as a stomachic purga- 
tive in indigestion, especially when caused by errors of diet, for 
it clears away any undigested food, and its stomachic and after- 
astringent effects are valuable. In the same way it is useful in 
diarrhoea due to irritation caused by undigested food ; here the 
after-astringency is especially serviceable. A powder of pow- 
dered rhubarb and sodium bicarbonate (which hides the taste) 
equal parts, with some powdered gentian, forms an excellent 
stomachic for young children. Rhubarb should never be given 
alone, because of the griping it causes. 

[JUGLANS. 

JUGLANS. Synonym. — Butternut. The bark of the root of Juglans 
cinerea Linn£ (nat. ord. Juglandacece) , collected in autumn. Habitat. — North 
America. 

Characters. — In flat or curved pieces, about 5 mm. thick; the outer 
surface dark gray and nearly smooth, or deprived of the soft cork and deep 
brown; the inner surface smooth and striate; transverse fracture short, deli- 
cately checkered, whitish and brown ; odor, feeble ; taste bitter and somewhat 
acrid. 

Composition. — (1) Nucin, C 10 H 6 O 8 . (2) Fixed Oil, 4 per cent. (3} 
Tannin. 

Dose, 1 to 2 dr. 

Preparation. 

Extractum Juglandis. — Extract of Juglans. By maceration and 
percolation with diluted Alcohol, and evaporation. 
Dose, 5 to 30 gr. 



4h organic materia medica. 

Uses. 

Butternut is a mild cathartic, and resembling rhubarb, in the 
property of evacuating without debilitating the alimentary canal. 
It was much employed during the war of the Revolution.] 

SENNA. 

[SENNA. — The leaflets of Cassia acutifolia Delile (Alexandria Senna), 
and of Cassia angustifolia Vahn (India Senna) ; (nat. ord. Leguminosce). 

Characters. — Alexandria Senna consists of leaflets about 25 mm. 
long and 10 mm. broad, lanceolate, or lance-oval, subcoriaceous, brittle, rather 
pointed, equally oblique at the base, entire, grayish-green, somewhat pubes- 
cent, of a peculiar odor, and a nauseous, bitter taste. Habitat. — Eastern and 
Central Africa. 

Resembling Senna. — Argel leaves (the leaves of Solenostemma Argel 
Hayne, (nat. ord. Asclepiadecz), which are frequently present; these leaves 
are thicker, one-veined, wrinkled, glaucous, and even at the base ; also the 
leaves of Uva Ursi and Buchu. 

India Senna. Synonym. — Tinnivelly Senna. Consists of leaflets from 
3 to 5 cm. long and 10 to 15 mm. broad; lanceolate, acute, unequally oblique 
at the base, entire, thin, yellowish-green or dull green, nearly smooth ; odor 
peculiar, somewhat tea-like ; taste mucilaginous, bitter and nauseous. Habitat. 
— Eastern Africa to India ; cultivated. 

Impurities. — Stalks, discolored leaves, and other admixtures.] 

Composition of Both Kinds. — The chief constituents are — (1) Cathar- 
tic Acid, C 180 H 96 N 2 SO 82 , a black, amorphous Glucoside. It exists as salts of 
earthly bases, such as Calcium and Magnesium, which are soluble in water. 
Cathartic Acid is capable of decomposition into Glucose and Cathartogenic 
Acid. It is the chief purgative principle in Senna and other purgatives. (2) 
Other glucosides, Sennacrol and Sennapicrin, [C 34 H 58 17 ,] which do not in 
most preparations contribute to their action, as they are insoluble in water. (3) 
Chrysophanic Acid in small amounts as a coloring matter [see Rhubarb and 
Chrysarobinum). (4) A peculiar unfermentable sugar, Cathartomannit, 

[ C 21 H 44°19-] 

Dose, 1 to 3 dr. 

Preparations. 

1. Confectio Sennae. — [Confection of Senna. Senna, 100; Oil of 
Coriander, 5; fig, 120; Tamarind, 100; Cassia Fistula, 160; Prune, 70; 
sugar, 555 ; water to make 1 000. By sifting, digestion and evaporation. 

Dose, 1 to 2 dr. 



SENNA. 415 

2. Extractum Sennae Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Senna. By 
maceration, percolation with diluted Alcohol, and evaporation. 

Dose, 1 to 3 fl. dr. 

It is used to prepare Syrupus Sarsaparillae Compositus. 

3. Infusum Sennae Compositum. — Compound Infusion of 
Senna. Synonym. — Black Draught. Senna, 60; Manna, 120; Magne- 
sium Sulphate, 120; Fennel, 20; boiling water, 500; cold water to 
1000. 

Dose, 1 to 2 fl. oz. 

4. Pulvis Glycyrrhizae Compositus. — Compound Powder of 
Glycyrrhiza. Synonym. — Compound Liquorice Powder. Senna, 1 80; 
Glycyrrhiza, 236; Oil of Fennel, 4; Washed Sulphur, 80; Sugar, 500. 

Dose, ]/ 2 to 2 dr. 

5. Syrupus Sennae. — Syrup of Senna. Alexandria Senna, 25; 
Oil of Coriander, 5; Sugar, 700; Alcohol, 150; water to 1000 By 
digestion, straining, evaporation and filtration. 

Dose, ^ to 1 fl. oz.] 

Action. 

External. — None. 

Internal. — Senna, because of the cathartic acid in it, stimu- 
lates the muscular coat of the intestine, especially the colon, and 
produces some hypersemia. Consequently the fluid contents of 
the small intestine are hurried through the colon, and pale yellow 
watery stools containing some undigested food, are the result. 
Senna acts very feebly or not at all on the biliary secretion. 
Large doses open the bowels several times and produce griping, 
but not much hypersemia. Probably there are other substances 
in senna, besides cathartic acid, having a purgative property, but 
it is by far the most important. Purgation by senna does not 
subsequently cause constipation. Some constituents of it are 
absorbed, and may cause the urine to be red. It will purge, if 
injected into the veins, and will impart its purgative properties 
to the milk of nursing women. 

Therapeutics. 

. Senna is a safe, useful purgative for cases of simple constipa- 
tion. It is, because of its tendency to gripe and its nauseous 
taste, rarely given alone. The compound liquorice powder is to be 



4l6 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

preferred to the compound infusion of senna (" black draught"), 

as this is a nasty mixture. Senna is largely used to complete the 

effect of duodenal purgatives, as we see in the old prescription of 

a blue pill at night and a black draught in the morning. Acting 

on the colon, it is valuable in slight cases of faecal collection. 

Compound liquorice powder is much used in habitual constipation 

and the constipation of pregnancy. Confection of senna, coated 

with chocolate, forms the well-known purgative, Tamar Indien, 

and in this form can be taken by children. It is said that the 

infusion contains more of the active principles than the other 

preparations ; it soon decomposes, but i gr. of nitre to the fl. 6z. 

will prevent this. 

FRANGULA. 

[FRANGULA. Synonym. — Buckthorn. The bark of Rhamnus 
Frangula Linne (nat. ord. Rhamnece) , collected at least one year before being 
used. Habitat. — Europe and Northern Asia. 

Characters. — Quilled, about I mm. thick; outer surface grayish-brown, 
or blackish -brown, with numerous small, whitish, transversely-elongated 
lenticels ; inner surface smooth, pale, brownish yellow ; fracture in the outer 
layer short, of a purplish tint ; in the inner layer fibrous and pale yellow ; 
when masticated, coloring the saliva yellow ; nearly inodorous ; taste sweetish 
and bitter.] 

Composition — Fresh bark contains a glucoside, Frangulin [C 20 H 20 O 10 ], 
This, in the old bark, has become converted into Emodin, [C 15 H 10 O 5 ] (also 
found in Rhubarb), to which the value of the bark is due. 

Dose, ^ to i dr. 

Preparation . 

Extractum Frangulae Fluidum. — [Fluid Extract of Frangula. 
By maceration and percolation with Alcohol and water, and evaporation. 
Dose, y 2 to 2 fl. dr.] 

Action and Therapeutics. 
The fresh bark is a violent gastro-intestinal irritant, but that 
which has been kept a year is a mild laxative, acting like senna ; 
it is suitable for children and for use in chronic constipation. 

[RHAMNUS PURSHIANA. 
CASCARA SAGRADA. Synonyms.— Sacred Bark, Chittem Bark. 

The bark of Rhamnus Purshiana De Candolle (nat. ord. Rhamnaece). 
Habitat. — Northern Idaho, and westward to the Pacific Coast. 



ALOES. 417 

Characters. — In quills or curved pieces, about 3 to 10 cm. long, and 
about 2 mm. thick ; outer surface brownish-gray and whitish ; the young bark 
having numerous, rather broad, pale-colored warts ; inner surface yellowish to 
light brownish, becoming dark brown by age ; smooth or finely striate ; fracture 
short, yellowish, in the inner layer of thick bark somewhat fibrous ; inodorous ; 
taste bitter. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — [(1) Three resins. (2) A 
neutral substance. (3) Acids. (4) A volatile oil.] 

Dose, ^ to 1 dr. 

[Preparation. 

Extractum Rhamni Purshianae Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of 

Rhamnus Purshiana. By maceration and percolation with diluted 
Alcohol and evaporation. 

Dose, 1^ to 1 fl. dr.] 

Action and Therapeutics. 
Cascara Sagrada is a simple laxative and aperient, not 
causing much griping, and resembling in its action frangula bark, 
but it is more certain and more active. The bitter principle gives 
it stomachic properties. It is very serviceable for constipation, 
especially if chronic. A single dose may either be taken in the 
evening, or 10 to 15 Tit of the fluid extract may be given three 
times a day before meals. One advantage of its use is that 
gradually increasing doses are not required. The fluid extract 
is very bitter; this taste maybe concealed byaromatics, liquorice 
or sal volatile, and it may be given in chloroform water. The 
Brit. Pharm. Conference advises the following syrup : — Liquid 
extract of cascara sagrada, 4 fl 3 ; liquid extract of liquorice, 3 fl J ; 
Tinctura Carminativa, 2 fl 5 (see p. 462); syrup to 16 fl ^ : 
Strength, 12 ^ of the liquid extract to fl^j. Dose, 1 to 4 n^. 

ALOE. 

[ALOE BARBADENSIS.— Barbadoes Aloes. Synonym.— Curacoa 
Aloes. The inspissated juice of the leaves of Aloe vera (Linne) Webb (nat. 
ord. Liliacece). Habitat. — Island of Barbadoes. 

Characters. — In hard masses, orange -brown, opaque, translucent on the 
edges; fracture waxy or resinous, somewhat conchoidal; odor saffron-like; 
taste strongly bitter.] 

Dose, )4 to 10 gr, 
36 



41 o ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

[ALOE SOCOTRINA.— Socotrine Aloes. The inspissated juice of 
the leaves of Aloe Perryi Baker (nat. ord. Liliacece). Habitat. — Eastern Africa. 

Characters. — In hard masses, occasionally soft in the interior, opaque, 
yellowish-brown, orange -brown or dark ruby-red, not greenish, translucent on 
the edges; fracture resinous, somewhat conchoidal. When breathed upon, it 
emits a fragrant saffron-like odor. Taste peculiar, strongly bitter. Solubility. 
Almost entirely soluble in Alcohol and in 4 parts of boiling water. The 
aqueous solution becomes turbid on cooling and yields a deposit. Moistened 
with Alcohol] arid examined under microscope, Socotrine Aloes exhibits 
numerous crystals. Socotrine Aloes is less deep in color, less opaque, its 
powder is brighter and more reddish, and its odor is not nearly so disagreeable 
as that of Barbadoes Aloes. 

Composition.— (i) A loin, see 419. (2) A Resin. (3) A trace of Gallic 
Acid. (4) A trace of a volatile oil gives the odor. Resembling Aloes. — Resins 
of Jalap and Guaiacum, [and Catechu.] 

Dose, l /z to 10 gr. 

Prepa rations. 

1. Extractum Aloes. — [Extract of Aloes. Socotrine Aloes; by 
disintegration in boiling, distilled water ; filtration and evaporation. 

Dose, y 2 to 3 gr. 

2. Aloe Purificata. — Purified Aloes. Socotrine Aloes, 1000; 
Alcohol, 200. Heat, strain, and evaporate. 

Characters.- In irregular, brittle pieces, of a dull brown or red- 
dish-brown color, and having the peculiar, aromatic odor of Socotrine 
Aloes. It is almost entirely soluble in Alcohol. 

Dose, Y 2 to 10 gr. 

Purified Aloes are contained in Extractum Colocynthidis Composi- 
tum, Pilulae Rhei Compositae and Tinctura Benzoini Composita. 

3. Pilulae Aloes. — Pills of Aloes. Purified Aloes, 13; Soap, 13 
gm. ; to make 1 00 pills. Each pill contains 2 gr. of Aloes. 

Dose, 1 to 4 pills. 

4. Pilulae Aloes et Asafcetidae. — Pills of Aloes and Asafetida. 
Purified Aloes, 9; Asafetida, 9; Soap, 9 gm. ; to make 100 pills. Each 
pill contains 1^ gr. of Aloes. 

Dose, 1 to 5 pills. 

5. Pilulae Aloes et Ferri. — Pills of Aloes and Iron. Purified 
Aloes, 7 ; dried Ferrous Sulphate, 7 ; Aromatic Powder, 7 gm. ; Con- 
fection of Rose, a sufficient quantity to make 100 pills. Each pill 
contains 1 gr. of Aloes. 

Dose, 1 to 4 pills. 

6. Pilulae Aloes et Mastiches. — Pills of Aloes and Mastic. 



ALOES. 419 

Purified Aloes, 13; Mastic, 4; Red Rose, 3 gm.; to make 100 pills. 
Each pill contains 2 gr. of Aloes. 
Dose, 1 to 3 pills. 

7. Pilulae Aloes et Myrrhae. — Pills of Aloes and Myrrh. Puri- 
fied Aloes, 13; Myrrh, 6; Aromatic Powder, 4 gm. ; syrup, a sufficient 
quantity to make 100 pills. Each pill contains 2 gr. of Aloes. 

Dose, 2 to 10 pills. 

8. Tinctura Aloes. — Tincture of Aloes. Purified Aloes, 100; 
Liquorice Root, 200. Macerate with diluted Alcohol and percolate to 
1000. 

Dose, % to 1 fl. dr. 

9. Tinctura Aloes et Myrrhae. — Tincture of Aloes and Myrrh. 
Synonym. — Elixir Proprietatis Paracelsi. Purified Aloes, 1 00; Myrrh, 
100; Liquorice Root, 100. Macerate with Alcohol and water, and 
percolate to 1000. 

Dose, 1 to 2j^ fl. dr.] 

ALOINUM. — Aloin. [A neutral principle obtained from several 
varieties of Aloes, chiefly Barbadoes Aloes (yielding Barbaloin) ; and Socotrine 
or Zanzibar Aloes (yielding Socaloin), — differing more or less in chemical 
composition and physical properties according to the source from which it is 
derived. 

CHARACTERS. — Minute, acicular crystals, or a microcrystalline powder, 
varying in color from yellow to yellowish-brown, odorless or possessing a 
slight odor of Aloes, or a characteristic, bitter taste, and permanent in the air. 

Barbaloin, C 17 H 20 O 7 , is soluble in about 60 parts of water, 20 parts of 
Alcohol, or 470 parts of Ether. 

Socaloin, C 15 H 16 O r , is soluble in about 60 parts of water, 30 parts of 
ab,olute Alcohol, 380 parts of Ether, or 9 parts of Acetic Ether.] 

Dose, % to 2 gr. 

Action of Aloes. 

External. — Aloes has no external action on the unbroken 
skin, but it can be absorbed from a raw surface, for aloes sprink- 
led on an ulcer, to which it is a slight stimulant, will lead to 
purging. 

Internal. — Gastro-intestinal tract. — In the stomach the 
bitter principle of aloes causes it to act as a stomachic, like 
other bitters In the intestine it increases the rate of the flow 
of bile, and probably the amount secreted. It [has but] little 
influence in the small intestine, but the muscular coat of the 



420 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

colon is powerfully stimulated, and the intestinal secretion 
from that part slightly accelerated. Aloes, therefore, purges, and 
naturally takes some time, usually fifteen to twenty hours, to 
act ; the motion is well formed, not very soft, as there is so little 
increased secretion of fluid, and dark colored from the bile in it. 
Sometimes the drug gripes somewhat, because the muscular con- 
traction it produces is irregular. As it acts chiefly on the lower 
bowel the habitual use of it may lead to piles. 

Female genital organs. — Aloes will aggravate the menstrual 
flow; it is therefore an emmenagogue. It is excreted by the 
milk, for aloes given to the mother may purge the child. It is 
stated also to be excreted in the urine, [and it is quite likely that 
the habitual use of aloes will result in irritation of the kidneys.] 

Therapeutics. 

Aloes is an excellent purgative for cases of habitual constipa- 
tion, many of which are due to an imperfect contraction of the 
muscular coat of the large intestine. It is very commonly given 
as a dinner pill (i gr. of extract of aloes and ^ gr. of extract of 
nux vomica) to sufferers from chronic constipation, and in these 
cases its bitter principles acting as stomachics aid digestion. To 
avoid griping it is well to combine a little extract of hyoscyamus 
or a little extract of belladonna with it. [Aloin does not gripe 
so much as the preparations of aloes.] One great advantage of 
aloes is that the dose need not be gradually increased. It is also 
very commonly given as a pill with nux vomica and a grain or 
two of the dried [ferrous] sulphate to persons suffering from 
chlorosis and other forms of anaemia. It overcomes the chronic 
constipation so common in these cases, and some regard this as 
very important for the cure of the disease. The amenorrhcea so 
frequently associated with chlorosis is often benefited by aloes, 
and amenorrhcea due to other causes may also be relieved. 
Aloes is of great service in many cases of chronic constipation of 
children. A warm aqueous solution of aloin purges when in- 
jected subcutaneously. Aloes must not be given in pregnancy, 
haemorrhoids, or menorrhagia. The enema is anthelmintic. 



SCAMMONY. 42 1 

Class III. 
SCAMMONIUM. 

[SCAMMONY. — A resinous exudation from the living root of Convol- 
vulus Scammonia, Linne (nat. ord. Convolvulacece). Habitat. — Western Asia. 

Characters. — In irregular, angular pieces or circular cakes, greenish- 
gray or blackish, internally porous, and breaking with an angular fracture, of a 
resinous lustre; odor peculiar, somewhat cheese-like; taste slightly acrid; 
powder gray or greenish-gray.] 

Impurities. — Chalk and Starch. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are: (1) The resin (a. v.), 75 to 
95 per cent. (2) Gum, 10 to 20 per cent. (3) Starch. 

Dose, 5 to 15 gr. 

Preparation. 

Resina Scammonii. — Resin of Scammony. 

Source. — [Digest Scammony with successive portions of boiling 
Alcohol distill off the Alcohol, precipitate the Resin with water, wash 
it several times, and dry with gentle heat. ] 

Characters. — [Yellowish-brown or brownish-yellow masses or 
fragments, breaking with glossy, resinous fracture, translucent at the 
edges; or a yellowish-white or grayish-white powder, having a faint, 
peculiar odor, and a slight, peculiar taste. Solubility. — In Alcohol in all 
proportions; also wholly soluble in Ether and in Oil of Turpentine. 

Composition. — The chief constituent is Scammonin C 88 H 156 42 , 
probably the same as Jalapin.] 

Impurities. — Guaiacum resin, which blues Potato. Jalap resin, 
insoluble in Ether. 

Resina Scammonii is contained in Extractum Colocynthidis Com- 
positum, see Colocynth p. 426. 

Action. 

Gastro-intestinal tract. — Scammony has no effect till it reaches 
the duodenum. With the bile it forms a strongly purgative 
compound, powerfully stimulating the intestinal glands and 
causing a profuse secretion of intestinal fluids. There is some 
exaggeration of vascularity, some irregular stimulation of the 
muscular coat, but these are comparatively slight, and there is 
little if any addition to the biliary flow. As a result of these 
actions, in about four hours there is a profuse watery evacua- 
tion of the bowels. The drug is, therefore, a powerful hydra- 



422 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

gogue cathartic, and in large doses, a strong gastro-intestinal 
irritant. Its action is attended with some griping It produces 
no effect if injected into the blood, and therefore acts only locally 
on the intestine. It is anthelmintic to both round-worms and 
tape-worms. 

Therapeutics. 

Scammony being a prompt purgative, obstinate constipation 
in either children or adults may be treated with it. It may also 
be given as an anthelmintic. 

JALAPA. 

[JALAP. — The tuberous root of Ipomaea Jalapa, Nuttall (nat. ord. 
Convolvulacece.) Habitat. — Eastern Mexico. 

Characters. — Napiform, pyriform or oblong, varying in size, the large 
roots incised, more or less wrinkled, dark brown, with lighter-colored spots, 
and short, transverse ridges; hard, compact, internally pale grayish-brown, 
with numerous concentric circles composed of small resin-cells; fracture resin- 
ous, not fibrous; odor slight, but peculiar, smoky and sweet' sh; taste sweetish 
and acrid. On exhausting ioo parts of Jalap by Alcohol, concentrating the 
tincture, and pouring it into water, a precipitate of resin should be obtained, 
which, after washing with water and drying, should weigh not less than 12 
parts, and of which not over 10 per cent, should be soluble in Ether.] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are: (1) the official resin, [q. z>.) 
7 to 22 per cent, mostly Jalapurgin, C 62 H I00 O 32 . (2) Gum. 
Dose, 5 to 20 gr. 

Preparations. 
1 Extractum Jalapse. — [Extract of Jalap. By maceration and 
percolation with Alcohol, and evaporation. 
Dose, 2 to 8 gr. 

Extractum Jalapce is contained in Piluke Catharticse Composite 
and Pilulae Catharticse Vegetabilis. 

2. Pulvis Jalapae Compositus. — Compound Powder of Jalap. 
Synonym. — Pulvis Purgans. Jalap, 35 ; Potassium Bitartrate, 65. 

Dose, }( to 1 dr. 

3. Resina Jalapae. — Resin of Jalap. 

Source. — By maceration with Alcohol, percolation, distill off the 
Alcohol, and precipitation with water, and drying. 

Characters. — Yellowish-brown, or brown masses or fragments, 
breaking with a resinous, glossy fracture, translucent at the edges, or a 



BRYONIA. 423 

yellowish-gray or yellowish-brown powder, having a slight, peculiar 
odor, and a somewhat acrid taste.] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Jalapurgin (Con- 
volvulin), a Glucoside, a hard substance insoluble in Ether, more 
irritant than Jalapin, and probably the most active ingredient of Jalap. 
(2) Jalapin, [probably identical with Scammonin\ This is a soft 
resinous substance, soluble in Ether. It is found in Jalap wood and 
Jalap stalk. (3) Starch and Gum. Resembling Jalap Resin. — Aloes, 
which is bitter. 

Dose, 1 to 5 gr. 

Action. 

The mode of action of jalap is precisely the same as that 
of scammony, with only two exceptions. It causes a greater 
secretion of intestinal juice, and is therefore more hydragogue ; 
it stimulates the vessels and muscular coat less,- and therefore is 
less irritant and griping. 

Therapeutics. 
Jalap is very largely used as a hydragogue purgative when we 
want to draw off large quantities of fluid ; therefore it is especially 
suitable for patients with Bright' s disease, for those suffering from 
uraemia, and for those with dropsy from any cause. Large doses 
should not be given if the intestinal mucous membrane is liable 
to inflame easily. It is occasionally employed for severe consti- 
pation. 

[BRYONIA. 

BRYONIA. Synonym. — Bryony. The root of Bryonia alba, and 
of Bryonia dioica Linne (nat. ord. Cucurbitacece). Habitat. — Central and 
Southern Europe. 

Characters. — In transverse sections about 5 cm. in diameter, the bark 
gray-brown, rough, thin, the central portion whitish or grayish, with numerous, 
small, projecting wood-bundles arranged in circles and radiating lines; fracture 
short ; inodorous ; taste disagreeably bitter. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) a bitter glucoside, Bry- 
onin, C 34 H 48 9 ; (2) starch ; (3) gum. 

Dose, 10 to 60 gr. 

Preparation. 

Tinctura Bryonise. — Tincture of Bryonia. Bryonia, 100 ; by 
maceration and percolation with Alcohol to 1000. 
Dose, 1 to 5 fl. dr. 



424 organic materia medica. 

Uses. 
Bryonia is an active hydragogue cathartic, but has been super- 
seded by jalap.] 

OLEUM [TIGLII. 

CROTON OIL. A fixed oil expressed from the seed of Croton Tig- 
lium Linne (nat. ord. Euphorbiacece) . Habitat. — India and Philippine 
Islands ; cultivated. 

Characters. — A pale yellow or brownish-yellow, somewhat viscid, and 
slightly fluorescent liquid, having a slight fatty odor, and a mild, oily, afterwards 
acrid and burning taste; when applied to the skin, it produces rubefaction or a 
pustular eruption. Sp. gr. : 0.940 to 0.960. Solubility. — When fresh, in about 
60 parts of Alcohol, the solubility increasing by age ; freely soluble in Ether, 
Chloroform, Carbon Disulphide, and in fixed or volatile oils.] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Several volatile acids (1 
per cent, in all) ; these give the odor. [ Tiglinic Acid, C 5 H g 2 ,] is the character- 
istic one. The others are Acetic, Isobutyric, Valerianic, Formic. (2) Sev- 
eral fatty acids, both free and combined to form fats. (3) Crotonol, [C ]S H 24 
4 (?)] a substance which is non -purgative, but is capable of causing cutaneous 
irritation. 

Dose, j( to 2 m, on a lump of sugar, or mixed with Castor Oil or Vase- 
line and placed at the back of the mouth. 

Croton seeds are not official, but it is important to recognize them. 
They are [13 mm.] long, [8 mm.] broad, ovoid and bluntly oblong, covered with 
a brown shell, which on scraping becomes black. The kernel is white and oily. 
They yield 50 to 60 per cent, of Croton Oil. They are known from Castor- 
oil seeds, which are like them, by the fact that the Castor-oil seeds are bright, 
polished and mottled. 

Action. 

External. — Croton oil is one of the most powerful irri- 
tants in the pharmacopoeia. A drop placed on the skin causes 
redness, burning pain, and quickly a crop of vesicles forms (vesi- 
cation); these rapidly become pustules (pustulation), and the 
surrounding subcutaneous tissue is red and cedematous. [The 
pustules may be umbilicated, but differ from variolous pustules in 
that they vary greatly in their size.] 

Internal. — Gastro-intestinal tract. — Very soon after a drop 
has been taken, there is considerable griping and abdominal pain. 
In an hour or two the bowels are opened, and this may subse- 
quently occur several times, the motions becoming more and 



CROTON OIL. 425 

more fluid. The croton oil greatly aggravates the vascularity of 
the stomach and intestines, the mucous membrane of which 
becomes red, oedematous and angry-looking; there is a great 
increase of the intestinal secretion, but none of the bile. The 
drug produces, in fact, severe enteritis, and to a less extent 
gastritis. The motions may contain blood. These effects are all 
due to the local [action] of the croton oil. It is probable that the 
peristaltic movements are increased also; whether this is a result 
of the irritation, or of some action of the drug exerted after 
absorption, is not known. Croton oil applied to the skin may 
cause free purgation. 

Therapeutics. 

External. — Croton oil was formerly employed externally as 
an irritant and a counter-irritant for inflamed joints, pleurisy, 
bronchitis, phthisis, &c; but it is not often so used now, as the 
scars left after the suppuration are very unsightly, the application 
is too painful and the inflammation induced too severe. A little 
croton oil spread over an area not exceeding that of a [dime] may 
be applied to set up suppuration in the scalp, and so destroy an 
inveterate patch of ringworm if it is wished to cure it quickly. 
The croton oil will certainly do this, but the resulting suppuration 
is so severe that the remedy should be used with care, and only 
when all others have failed. The liniment, [of the B. P. 15 per 
cent, in equal parts of oil of cajuput and alcohol], well diluted, is 
occasionally employed to stimulate the skin in alopecia. 

Internal. — Croton oil should only be given in very obstinate 
constipation not due to organic obstruction, and only one dose 
should be administered. Not more than one or two drops should 
be prescribed. Constipation due to lead poisoning and faecal 
impactions are sometimes suitable cases. Placed on the back of 
the tongue, it is, on account of its small bulk, a useful purgative 
for lunatics who refuse to take anything, and for unconscious 
patients, because in such cases it is quickly swallowed reflexly ; 
hence also it is commonly given to those who are unconscious 
from apoplexy. It must never be administered to children, to 
pregnant women, to feeble subjects, to those with haemorrhoids, 
nor to those suffering from peritonitis, gastritis, or enteritis. 



426 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

COLOCYNTHIS. 

[COLOCYNTH. Synonym.— Bitter Calumba. The fruit of Citrullus 
Colocyntkis, Schrader (nat. ord. Cucurbitacece), deprived of its rind. Habitat. — 
Southern and Western Asia, Northern and Southern Africa, Greece, and Spain. 

Characters. — From 5 to 10 cm. in diameter; globular; white or yel- 
lowish-white; light, spongy; readily breaking into three wedge-shaped pieces, 
each containing, near the rounded surface, many flat, ovate, brown seeds ; in- 
odorous ; taste intensely bitter. The pulp only should be used, the seeds being 
separated and rejected.] 

Impurities. — Seeds and cortex. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Colocynthin, [C 56 H 84 23 ,] 
an amorphous or crystalline, bitter, active glucoside, readily soluble in water 
and Alcohol. (2) Resinous matter having the names of Citrullin and Colo- 
cynthitin, insoluble in water. 

Dose, 2 to 8 gr. 

Preparations. 

[1.. Extraction Colocynthidis. — Extract of Colocynth. By ma- 
ceration with diluted Alcohol, expression and straining; percolate and 
evaporate. 

Dose, l / 2 to 2 gr. 

2. Extraction Colocynthidis Composition. — Compound Ex- 
tract of Colocynth. Extract of Colocynth, 160; purified Aloes, 500; 
Cardamon, 60; Resin of Scammony, 140; soap, 140 ; Alcohol, 100. 
By melting, straining and reducing to powder. 

Dose, 5 to 15 gr. 

3. Pilulae Catharticse Compositae. — See Mercury, p. 189. 

4. Pilulae Catharticae Vegetabiles. — Vegetable Cathartic Pills. 
Compound Extract of Colocynth, 60; Extract of Hyoscyamus, 30; Ex- 
tract of Jalap, 30; Extract of Leptandra, 15; Resin of Podophyllum 
15 ; Oil of Peppermint, 8 ; Water, to make 1000 pills. 

Dose 1 to 5 pills.] 

Action. 

In small doses colocynth acts as a simple bitter, increasing 
the gastric and intestinal secretions and improving the appetite. 
In larger doses it augments the flow of bile and succus entericus, 
stimulates the muscular coat, causes a little griping, and leads to 
the evacuation of a watery motion. In still larger doses the 
hypersecretion is excessive and the griping is severe because the 
muscular coat is powerfully irritated, and several abundant watery 



ELATERIN. . 427 

motions result. The drug may therefore be called drastic, 
hydragogue, and cathartic. The depression produced may 
be considerable. 

Therapeutics. 

Colocynth should never be given alone, because of the grip- 
ing it causes. In the colocynth and hyoscyamus pill, 1 part of 
colocynth, 2 parts of hyoscyamus, which is often prescribed, the 
hyoscyamus prevents this painful result. Colocynth is an excel- 
lent purgative for producing a single abundant evacuation of the 
bowels in chronic constipation, such as that so often met with in 
persons suffering from hepatic disorder, and in those confined to 
bed. Because of the watery character of the motions it may be 
given in ascites or Bright's disease, but jalap or scammony is 
usually preferred. It is too irritant for habitual use. It should 
never be administered if there is any suspicion of intestinal or 
ga'stric inflammation, nor in pregnancy. It is often combined 
with milder purgatives. A diuretic action has been claimed for 
it, but this is unimportant. 

ELATERINUM. 

[ELATERIN. ~C 20 H 28 O 5 =347.2O. A neutral principle obtained from 
Elaterium, a substance deposited by the juice of the fruit of Ecballium 
Elaterium (Linn£) A. Richard (nat. ord. Cucurbitacece) . Habitat. — Western 
Asia, Northern Africa and Southern Europe ; cultivated. 

Source. — Exhaust Elaterium with Chloroform. Add Ether, wash the 
resulting precipitate with Ether ; purify by recrystallization with Chloroform. 

Characters. — Minute, white, hexagonal scales, or prismatic crystals, 
without odor, and having a slightly acrid, bitter taste ; permanent in the air. 
Solubility. —In 4250 parts of water, and in 337 parts of Alcohol ; also soluble 
in 543 parts of Ether, or in 2.4 parts of Chloroform.] 

Dose, 2 ^ to T L gr. 

Preparation. 

[Trituratio Elaterini. — Trituration of Elaterin. Elaterin, 10 ; 
Sugar of Milk, 90. 

Dose, y z to 1 gr.] 

Action. 

Elaterin is violently purgative, producing profuse watery 
evacuations, attended with griping and much prostration. It acts 



428 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

like colocynth, and except that it is much more energetic, the 
description of that drug will apply to it. It increases the salivary 
secretion. When injected subcutaneously it purges. It is the 
most powerful hydragogue purgative in the pharmacopoeia. 

Therapeutics. 

Elaterin should not be given in ordinary constipation, as it is 
too violent in its effects, but on account of the large amount of 
fluid it brings away it is in suitable cases very useful in ascites 
and in Bright' s disease. The same cautions as were enumerated 
for colocynth are still more necessary here. It should not be 
given, or only with great care, in heart disease, on account of 
the depression produced. 

CAMBOGIA. 

[GAMBOGE. — A gum-resin obtained from Garcinia Hanburii Hooker 
Alius (nat. ord. Guttiferce). Habitat. — Anam, Camboja and Siam. 

Characters. —In cylindrical pieces, s:>metimes hollow in the centre, 2 
to 5 cin. in diameter, longitudinally striate on the surface ; fracture flattish- 
conchoidal, of a waxy lustre, orange-red ; in powder bright yellow ; inodorous ; 
taste very acrid ; the powder sternutatory. Solubility. — It is partly soluble in 
Alcohol and in Ether.] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — ([) A brilliant yellow Resin, 
Gambogic Acid, [66 to 80 per cent. (2) Gum, 16 to 26 per cent.] This is 
soluble, so that an emulsion of Gambogic Acid is formed with water. 

Impurities. — Starch, woody fibre. 

Dose, 1 to 5 gr. 

\_Ga??iboge is contained hi Pilube Catharticas Compositse.] 

Action. 
Gamboge is a drastic hydragogue purgative, causing 
much griping, and in large doses, great irritation of the alimentary 
canal. Most of it passes in the feces, but some is absorbed, 
causing the urine to be yellow. It is slightly diuretic. 

Therapeutics. 
It is not often prescribed, as it is uncertain, and gripes con- 
siderably. It should never be given alone. It has been used as 
an anthelmintic. 



PODOPHYLLUM. 429 

Class IV. 
PODOPHYLLUM. 

PODOPHYLLUM. [Synonym. May Apple. The rhizome and 
roots of Podophyllum peltatum Linne (nat. ord. Berberidece). Habitat. — 
North America, in rich woods and thickets. 

Characters. — Of horizontal growth, consisting of joints about 5 cm. 
long, flattish Cylindrical, about 5 mm. thick, but somewhat enlarged at the end, 
which has a circular scar on the upper side, a tuft of about ten, nearly simple, 
fragile roots on the lower side, and is sometimes branched laterally ; smooth or 
somewhat wrinkled, orange brown, internally white and mealy, with a circle 
of small wood- bundles ; pith large ; nearly inodorous ; taste sweetish, some- 
what bitter and acrid.] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are— [(1) Saponin (a. v.). (2) 
The official Resin, 4 to 5 per cent., partly neutral and partly an acid (Podo- 
phyllinic Acid) which is the purgative principle. 

Dose, 5 to 20 gr. 

Preparations. 

1. Extractum Podophylli. — Extract of Podophyllum. By mac- 
eration and percolation with Alcohol and water, distillation of Alcohol, 
and evaporation. 

Dose, 2 to 10 gr. 

2. Extractum Podophylli Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Podo- 
phyllum. By maceration and percolation with Alcohol and water, distil- 
lation of Alcohol and solution. 

Dose, 5 to 20 m.] 

3. Resina Podophylli. — [Resin of Podophyllum. Synonym. — 
Podophyllin. 

Source. — By maceration and percolation in Alcohol, distillation of 
Alcohol, precipitation of Resin in Hydrochloric Acid and water ; wash 
and dry. 

Characters. — An amorphous powder, varying in color from 
grayish-white to pale greenish-yellow or yellowish -green, turning darker 
when exposed to heat ; having a slight, peculiar odor, and a peculiar, 
faintly bitter taste. Permanent in the air. Solubility. — In Alcohol in 
all proportions; Ether dissolves 15 to 20 per cent, of it.] 

Composition. — Podophyllin Resin contains at least two other 
Resins, one soluble and the other insoluble in Ether. These Resins 
contain an active purgative crystalline body, Podophyllotoxin, [C 23 H 24 9 
-|-2H 2 0.] This, it is said, can be split up into Podophyllinic Acid, 
which is inert, and Picropodophyllin, a crystalline neutral body, the 



430 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

isomer of Podophyllotoxin, the active principle. Both of these also 
exist free in the rhizome. 
• Incompatibles. — Water precipitates it from [Alcohol,] acids pre- 

cipitate it from Ammonia. 

[Resin of Podophyllum is contained in Pilulae Catharticse Vege- 
tables.] 

Dose, }i to i gr. 

Action. 

External. — It has no external action unless applied to 
raw surfaces, from which it may be absorbed, and then it will 
purge. 

Internal. — Gastro -intestinal tract. — Podophyllin has a bitter 
taste. It is in large doses a powerful gastro-intestinal irritant, 
and has caused death. In medicinal doses it gives rise to much 
griping pain, perhaps some nausea, and in about ten hours there 
is an evacuation of the bowels ; the motion which is liquid, 
is deeply stained with bile. The pain shows that the muscular 
coat is stimulated, the liquidity that probably more intestinal 
fluid is secreted, and the color that more bile is poured into 
the intestine. In small doses podophyllin decidedly increases 
the secretion of bile, in purgative doses it does not, although 
more bile is poured from the bladder into the intestine. It is 
thus a direct and indirect cholagogue. It probably acts after 
absorption, for all its effects can be produced if it is injected 
subcutaneously. 

Therapeutics. 

Podophyllin is only used for its cholagogue purgative action. 
It is especially suitable for constipation due to hepatic disorder, 
whether functional, as in the hepatic dyspepsia which commonly 
goes by the name of biliousness, or organic, as in hepatic cirr- 
hosis and cancer. It must be remembered that as it causes much 
griping, it should be combined with hyoscyamus or some other 
drug to overcome this ; that it takes a long while to act, and will 
therefore be swept away before it has produced any effect if given 
with quickly acting purgatives : and that it is better to begin with 
small doses, as people are very unequally affected by it. It may 



LEPTANDRA, IRIS. 43 1 

be advantageously combined with calomel in a pill. It is so dis- 
agreeable to the taste that it is better to dissolve the resin in 
aromatic spirit of ammonia (i gr. to i fl3»). 

[LEPTANDRA. . 

LEPTANDRA. Synonym. — Culver's Root. The rhizome and roots 
of Veronica virginica Linne (nat. ord. ScrophularinecB). Habitat. — United 
States, south to Georgia, and. west to Minnesota, in low grounds. 

Characters. — Of horizontal growth, from io to 15 cm. long, and about 
5 mm. thick, somewhat flattened, bent and branched, deep blackish-brown, 
with cup-shaped scars on the upper side, hard, of a woody fracture, with a 
thin, blackish bark, a hard, yellowish wood, and a large, purplish -brown, about 
six-rayed pith ; roots thin, wrinkled, very fragile; inodorous; taste bitter and 
feebly acrid. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Leptandrin, a bitter crys- 
talline gluco?ide. (2) Saponin (a. v.). (3) A saccharine principle having the 
properties of Mannit. (4) Possibly a Volatile Alkaloid. 

Dose, % to 1 dr. 

Preparations. 

1. Extractum Leptandrae. — Extract of Leptandra. By macera- 
tion and percolation with Alcohol and water, and evaporation. 

Dose, 1 to 3 gr. 

Extract of Leptandra is contained in Pilulse Catharticse Vegetables. 

2. Extractum Leptandrae Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Lep- 
tandra. By maceration and percolation with Alcohol and water, and 
evaporation. 

Dose, j^ to 1 fl. dr. 

Action and Uses. 
The recent leptandra root acts as a violent cathartic, and 
sometimes as an emetic. It is an excellent cholagogue, and it 
appears to have a special influence upon the muciparous follicles 
of the intestine, and it acts very advantageously in cases of duode- 
nal indigestion and chronic constipation. 

IRIS. 

IRIS. Synonym. — Blue Flag. The rhizome and roots of Iris versi- 
color Linne (nat. ord. Iridece). Habitat. — North America, in swampy 
localities. 

Characters. — Rhizome of horizontal growth, consisting of joints, 5 to 



43 2 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

io cm. long, cylindrical in the lower half, nattish near the upper extremity, 
and terminated by a circular scar, annulated from the leaf-sheaths, grayish- 
brown ; roots long, simple, crowded near the broad end ; odor slight ; taste 
acrid and nauseous. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (i) An acrid resin ; (2) pos- 
sibly an alkaloid ; (3) fat; (4) a camphoraceous body. 

Dose, 10 to 30 gr. 

Preparations. 

1. Extractum Iridis. — Extract of Iris. By maceration and per- 
colation with Alcohol, and evaporation. 

Dose, 1 to 3 gr. 

2. Extractum Iridis Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Iris. By 
maceration and percolation with Alcohol, and evaporation. 

Dose, 10 to 30 m. 

Action and Therapeutics. 
Iris is a cholagogue, and as it rarely gripes, it may be given 
when it is required to use a cholagogue purgative daily for some 
time. It may be combined with extract of [euonymus, podo- 
phyllin and other cholagogue purgatives.] 

EUONYMUS. 

[EUONYMUS. Synonyms.— Wahoo, Spindle Tree. The bark of the 
root of Euonymus atropurpureus Jacquin (nat. ord. Celastrinece). Habitat. — 
United States, southward to Florida, and westward to Wisconsin, in shady 
woods. , 

Characters. — In quilled or curved pieces, from 2 to 5 mm. thick ; 
outer surface, ash-gray, with blackish patches, detached in thin and small 
scales ; inner surface whitish or slightly tawny, smooth ; fracture smooth, 
whitish, the inner layers of a laminated appearance ; nearly inodorous ; taste 
SAveetish, somewhat bitter and acrid.] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Euonymin, a resin, very 
[bitter, amorphous; (2) Atropurpurin, a crystalline glucoside, and (3) Citric, 
Tartaric and Malic Acids. 

Dose, 1 to 2 dr.] 

Preparation. 

Extractum Euonymi. — Extract of Euonymus (commonly called 
Euonymin). [By maceration and percolation with Alcohol and water, 
distillation of alcohol, and evaporation. 

Dose, 1 to 5 gr.] 



VOLATILE OILS. 433 

Action and Therapeutics. 

In small doses euonymin stimulates the appetite and flow of 
gastric juice; in larger, it is irritant to the intestine and is cathartic. 
It increases the amount of bile excreted into the intestine. 
It has slight diuretic and expectorant effects; but it is only used 
as a purgative for those cases of constipation in which the liver is 
disordered. 



GROUP VI. 
Volatile Oils. 



These, when applied externally, stimulate the skin, and thus cause red- 
ness, sometimes even vesication, tingling, and subsequent numbness. Taken 
internally, they stimulate the gastro-intestinal tract, increasing its vascularity, 
the flow of saliva, of gastric juice, and of succus entericus; and they excite its 
unstriped muscular fibres. Thus in moderate doses they are stomachics and 
carminatives; in large doses they are gastro-intestinal irritants. Their irri- 
tation of the stomach reflexly stimulates the heart and the central nervous sys- 
tem. They are absorbed and excreted by the skin, which they may thus 
irritate, and by the bronchial mucous membrane, which they consequently 
stimulate, increasing the amount of secretion from it, its vascularity, the expul- 
sive power of its unstriped muscles, and reflexly this irritation leads to cough- 
ing ; consequently they are expectorants. They are also largely excreted by the 
kidneys, which are stimulated even to inflammation, and hence these drugs are 
often diuretic ; and by the genito- urinary mucous membrane, which is 
also stimulated, often so energetically that it becomes inflamed. Some volatile 
oils act strongly in all these ways ; others act much more powerfully in some 
than in others. They will be classified according to the tissue on which they 
chiefly act, or for the action for which they are mostly used. 

Class I. — Volatile oils (or substances containing them), acting chiefly 
upon, or used chiefly for their stimulation of the skin. 

[Turpentine], Oil of Turpentine, [Rectified Oil of Turpentine, Tere- 
bene, Terpin Hydrate, Oil of Erigeron, Pix Liquida,] Oil of Cade, 
Burgundy Pitch, Resin, Canada [Turpentine], Mustard, Oil of Cajuput, 
Eucalyptus, Oil of Rosemary, Arnica, Mezereum. 

Class II. — Volatile oils (or substances containing them) acting chiefly 
upon, or used chiefly for their stimulation of the gastro-intestinal tract. 

Pyrethrum, Cloves, Pimenta, Pepper, Nutmeg, [Mace,] Cinnamon, 
Capsicum, Ginger, Cardamom, Sumbul, Oil of Lavender [Flowers], 
37 



434 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

[Oil of Bergamot,] Peppermint, Spearmint, Anise, [Illicium,] Corian- 
der, Fennel, Caraway, Sambucus, [Oil of Pennyroyal, Absinthium]. 

Class III. — Volatile oils (or substances containing them) acting chiefly 
upon the stomach, so as to reflexly stimulate the heart and central nervous 
systems, or chiefly used for this purpose. 

Valerian, [Cypripedium,] Asafetida, Ammoniacum, Myrrh. 

Class IV. —Volatile oils (or substances containing them) acting chiefly 
upon, or used chiefly for their stimulation of the bronchial mucous mem- 
brane. 

Balsam of Peru, Balsam of Tolu, Storax. 

Class V. — Volatile oils (or substances containing them) acting chiefly 
upon, or used chiefly for their stimulation of the kidneys and genito-urinary 
tract. 

[Oil of] Juniper, Buchu, Copaiba, [Oil of Thyme,] Cubeb, Oil of 
Santal, Matico. 

Class VI. — Volatile oils (or substances containing them) acting chiefly 
upon, or used chiefly for their stimulation of the female genital organs. 

Savin[e, Tansy.] 

Class I of Volatile Oils. 
Those used chiefly for their action on the skin. 

TEREBINTHINA. 

[TURPENTINE. — A concrete oleoresin obtained from Pinus palustris 
Miller, and from other species of Pinus (nat. ord. Coniferce). Habitat. — 
United States ; in the Atlantic and Gulf States from Virginia to Texas. 

Characters. — In yellowish, opaque, tough masses, brittle in the cold, 
crumbly-crystalline in the interior, of a terebinthinate odor and taste.] 

OLEUM TEREBINTHINA. 

OIL OF TURPENTINE.— [A volatile oil distilled from Turpentine. 

Characters. A thin, colorless liquid, having a characteristic odor and 
taste, both of which become stronger and less pleasant by age and exposure to 
the air. Sp. gr. 0.855 to 0.870. Dissolves Resins (the solution forms varnish), 
Wax, Sulphur, Pnosphorus and Iodine. Solubility. — In 3 times its volume of 
Alcohol, the solution being neutral or slightly acid to litmus paper ; also soluble 
in an equal volume of Glacial Acetic Acid.] By the action of oxidizing agents 
it is converted into a Camphor. Old Oil of Turpentine is an oxidizing agent ; 
it readily absorbs Oxygen, and becomes converted into an Oleoresin. French 
Oil of Turpentine is lsevo-rotatory, some of it comes from Pinus maritima ; 
English Oil of Turpentine, which mostly comes from America, and Russian Oil 
of Turpentine are dextro-rotatory. 



OIL OF TURPENTINE. 435 

Composition. — Oil of Turpentine is a mixture of several isomeric hydro- 
carbons (terpenes), all having the formula C 10 H 16 . They vary in their boiling- 
points and the direction in which they rotate the plane of polarization. Tur- 
pentine contains [from 20 to 30 per cent.] of the Oil of Turpentine, which being 
a typical terpene, therefore yields a camphor on oxidization. Many isomerides 
of it, having the formula C 10 H ]6 , are official, viz., Oils of Lavender, [Cubeb, 
Juniper,] Caraway, Cloves, &c. The corresponding Camphor of C 10 H 16 is C 10 
H 16 0, which is pharmacopceial (see Camphor). 

Dose, 5 to 30 m. or ^ to 4 fi. dr. (anthelmintic). 

1 fi. dr. of mucilage with thorough trituration emulsifies )4 n - dr. of Oil of 
Turpentine with I fl. oz. of water. 

Preparations. 

[1. Oleum Terebinthinae Rectificatum. — Rectified Oil of Tur- 
pentine. 

Source. — Oil of Turpentine, 1 ; Lime Water, 6 volumes. By 
shaking and distillation. 

Characters. — A thin, colorless liquid, having the general proper- 
ties mentioned under Oil of Turpentine. Sp. gr. 0.855 to 0-865. 

Dose, 5 to 30 m. or ]/ 2 to 4 fl. dr. anthelmintic. 

2. Linimentum Terebinthinae. — Turpentine Liniment. Resin 
Cerate, 650; Oil of Turpentine, 350. By melting and mixing.] 

Action. 

External. — Oil of turpentine has, to a marked degree, the 
action of other volatile oils. Thus applied to the skin, especially 
if rubbed in, it causes the vessels to dilate, there is a sense of 
warmth, -the part becomes red, and subsequently common sensa- 
tion is blunted. The oil is therefore rubefacient, irritant, 
and counter-irritant. If enough is applied it is a vesicant. 
Like the other volatile oils it is antiseptic and disinfectant. 
It is absorbed by the unbroken skin. 

Internal. — Alimentary canal. — Oil of turpentine has the 
same stimulant effect when locally applied to the mouth and 
pharynx as it has on the skin, and in the stomach it powerfully 
dilates the vessels, increases peristalsis and the gastric secretion, 
and reflexly stimulates the heart, but on account of its 
nauseous taste it is not used for these properties, which it has in 
common with other volatile oils. Its effects on the intestine are 



436 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

the same as those on the stomach, the most marked being its en- 
ergetic stimulation of the muscular coats, hence it is a strong 
carminative, expelling gas from the bowels. If a large amount 
is given the excitation of the muscular coat leads to purging, 
the motions often containing much blood, haemorrhage resulting 
from the great vascular dilatation. Oil of turpentine is anthel- 
mintic, killing the tapeworm when administered in doses of 
[^]~4 A5> but this treatment may cause severe symptoms. When 
given as an enema it kills the threadworm. 

Circulation. — Oil of turpentine is readily absorbed. We do 
not know in what form it circulates. Statements concerning its 
action on the heart and vessels are very discordant, probably be- 
cause different experimenters have used different varieties of oil 
of turpentine ; but most specimens appear first to stimulate the 
heart, in some degree at least, directly, for oil of turpentine 
locally applied will excite the excised heart, increasing the force 
and frequency of the cardiac beat. It contracts the vessels, and 
therefore it is a haemostatic. The blood-pressure rises. After 
a large dose of any variety this stimulation is followed by depres- 
sion, the heart beats feebly, the vessels dilate, and the blood- 
pressure falls. 

Respiration. — When inhaled, oil of turpentine acts on the 
bronchial mucous membrane as it does on the skin, irritating it, 
dilating the vessels, increasing and disinfecting the secretion, 
stimulating the muscles of the bronchi, and reflexly exciting 
cough. If given internally, as some of it is excreted by the 
bronchial mucous membrane, similar effects are produced. At 
the same time the activity of the respiratory movements is in- 
creased, so that the drug is a powerful expectorant. 

Nervous system. — Oil of turpentine in large doses is a severe 
depressant to the nervous system, producing languor, dullness, 
sleepiness, and unsteady gait. Toxic doses cause coma and 
paralyze the sensory nerves ; consequently reflex action is abol- 
ished. 

Kidneys. — It acts more powerfully on these than almost any 
other volatile oil. Even moderate doses may lead to pain in the 



OIL OF TURPENTINE. 437 

loins, scanty, high-colored urine, albuminuria, and haematuria. 
The urinary passages are also irritated, consequently, owing 
to muscular spasm, there is difficulty in passing water, micturi- 
tion is painful, and a sensation of heat in the perinaeum is pres- 
ent (these symptoms constitute strangury). If a large dose has 
been given the urine may be completely suppressed. Turpentine 
causes the urine to smell of violets. 

Skin. — Oil of turpentine is excreted by the skin, and may 
cause an erythematous rash. 

Some is probably excreted by the bile and intestinal mucous 
membrane. 

It is said to be a mild antipyretic. [Old] oil of turpentine is 
an antidote to phosphorus, and it is stated that [that] and [the] 
French oil are preferable. 

Therapeutics. 

External. — Oil of turpentine is very largely employed as an 
irritant or counter-irritant in various forms of chronic inflamma- 
tion, such as osteo-arthritis, bronchitis, or pleurisy. The liniment 
forms a useful application. It may also be rubbed in over painful 
areas, as in neuralgia, myalgia, rheumatic pains, lumbago, etc. 
Sometimes it is used as a parasiticide for ringworm. 

Internal. — Sto?nach and intestines. — [For internal use the 
rectified oil only should be prescribed.] It is not prescribed for 
its carminative and stomachic effects, though given either by the 
mouth or as an enema it is often very efficacious in removing the 
intestinal distension due to gas. If it is used as an anthelmintic, 
[}4~\-4 A 3 emulsified in mucilage and followed by a dose of castor 
oil should be given. Sometimes it promptly relieves intestinal 
haemorrhage, such as that due to typhoid fever. [It is also used 
in this disease as an antiseptic] Whenever it is prescribed as a 
haemostatic, considerable doses, 30 to 60 1U, should be adminis- 
tered every hour for a few hours. 

Circulation. — It is not employed to influence this, except as a 
haemostatic. It has the reputation of being fairly efficacious in 
arresting haemorrhage. It may be given in haemoptysis, gastric 
ulcer, and other conditions attended with bleeding. 



43§ ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Respiration. — It is not much used as an inhalation, but it 
might be employed to disinfect foul bronchial secretions, and to 
stimulate the mucous membrane in chronic bronchitis. 

It should be remembered that oil of turpentine must be given 
internally with great care because of its liability to cause inflam- 
mation of the kidneys ; indeed, this fact and its nasty taste 
accounts for its not being so often administered as would other- 
wise be the case. It should never be given to the subjects of 

Bright' s disease. 

[TEREBENUM. 

TEREBENE.— C 10 H 16 =I35.7. A liquid consisting chiefly of Pinene, 
and containing not more than very small proportions of Terpinene and Dipen- 
tene. 

Source. — From acting upon Oil of Turpentine with Sulphuric Acid, and 
distilling. 

Characters. — A colorless or slightly yellowish, thin liquid, having a 
rather agreeable thyme-like odor, and an aromatic, somewhat terebinthinate 
taste. Sp. gr., about 0.862. Solubility. — Only slightly soluble in water, but 
soluble in an equal volume of Alcohol, glacial Acetic Acid, or Carbon Di- 
sulphide 

Dose, 5 to 15 m.] 

Action and Therapeutics. 
Terebene is an excellent stimulant, disinfectant expectorant 
for chronic bronchitis. It may be used as an inhalation thus: — 
Pure terebene, 40 Tit; magnesium carbonate, 20 gr. ; distilled 
water, 1 fl£. Use a fluid drachm in a pint of water at 140 F. in 
an apparatus so arranged that air can be drawn through it and 
inhaled. Or it may be given with other expectorants in a 
mixture; many patients find five drops a few times a day on 
sugar quite sufficient to cure a slight winter cough. 

[TERPINI HYDRAS. 

TERPIN HYDRATE.— C 10 H 18 (OH) 2 +H 2 O=i89.58. The Hydrate 
of the Diatomic Alcohol Terpin. 

Source. — Rectified Oil of Turpentine, Alcohol and Nitric Acid are 
allowed to stand together for three or four days in shallow porcelain dishes. 
The crystals which have formed are collected, drained thoroughly, dried by 
absorbent paper, and recrystallized in a cold solution of Alcohol. 



tar. 439 

Characters. — Colorless, lustrous, rhombic prisms, nearly odorless, and 
having a slightly aromatic and somewhat bitter taste. Permanent in the air. 
Solubility. — Soluble in about 250 parts of water, and in 10 parts of Alcohol ; 
also soluble in about 100 parts of Ether, 200 parts of Chloroform. 

Dose, 2 to 30 gr. 

Action and Uses. 

Terpin hydrate is an antiseptic, and it is believed that it 
will arrest the development of tubercle bacilli. It increases the 
secretion of the mucous membrane, and the functional activity 
of the kidneys. It has been given as an expectorant in acute and 
chronic bronchitis, when the secretion is unusually free, in whoop- 
ing-cough, and rarely in the treatment of chronic nephritis, 
chronic cystitis and gonorrhoea. 

OLEUM ERIGERONTIS. 

OIL OF ERIGERON.— Synonym.— Oil of Fleabane. A vol- 
atile oil distilled from the fresh, flowering herb of Erigeron canadense Linne 
(nat. ord. Composite.) Habitat. — North America, in fields and waste places ; 
naturalized in other countries. 

Characters. —A pale yellow, limpid liquid, becoming darker and thicker 
by age and exposure to the air, having a peculiar aromatic, persistent odor, 
and an aromatic, slightly pungent taste. Sp. gr., about 0.850, increasing with 
age. Solubility. — In an equal volume of Alcohol. 

Dose, 5 to 15 m. 

Uses. 

Oil of erigeron is less irritant and less efficient than oil of 
turpentine. It has been used in diarrhoea, dysentery and haemor- 
rhages, in much the same way. 

PIX LIQUIDA. 

[TAR. — An empyreumatic oleoresin obtained by the destructive distilla- 
tion of the wood of Pinus palustr is, Miller, and of other species of Pinus (nat. 
ord. Conifercei) Habitat. — United States. 

Characters. — Thick, viscid, semi-fluid, blackish-brown, heavier than 
water, transparent in thin layers, becoming granular and opaque with age ; 
odor empyreumatic, terebinthinate ; taste sharp, empyreumatic. Solubility. — 
Slightly, in water ; soluble in Alcohol, fixed or volatile oils, and solution of 
Potassium or Sodium Hydrate.] On distillation it gives off an empyreumatic 
oil (oil of tar), which is official [see below), and pyroligneous acid. What 
remains behind is pitch. This is black, solid, melting in boiling water. 



440 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Composition. — Tar is a very complex substance. The chief constituents 
are — (i) Oil of Tar, (q. v.). (2) Creosote. (3) Phenol. (4) Pyrocatechin, or 
Catechol, C 6 H 6 2 . (5 ) Acetic Acid. (6) Acetone. (7) Xylol. "(8) Toluol. 
(9) Methylic Alcohol. (10) Resins. 

Dose, ^ to 1 dr. in the form of pills. 

Preparations. 

1. [Syrupus Picis Liquidae. — Syrup of Tar. Tar, 75; water, 150; 
boiling distilled water, 400; sugar, 800; Glycerin, 100 ; distilled water 
to 1000. By solution, decantation and filtration. 

Dose, 1 to 4 fl. dr.] 

2. Unguentum Picis Liquidse. — [Tar Ointment. Tar, 500; 
Yellow Wax, 125; Lard, 375.] 

[OLEUM PICIS LIQUID^.— Oil of Tar. A volatile oil distilled 
from Tar. 

Characters. — An almost colorless liquid when freshly distilled, but 
soon acquiring a dark, reddish-brown color, and having a strong, tarry odor 
and taste. Sp. gr. , about 0.970. Solubility. — Readily in Alcohol.]^ 

Action. 

External. — Tar has precisely the same actions as oil of tur- 
pentine, but it is not so powerful, therefore the vascular dilatation 
rarely proceeds to the stage of vesication ; but pustules may re- 
sult if the tar is rubbed in. 

Internal. — It is very liable to upset digestion ; in large doses 
it causes epigastric pain, vomiting, severe headache, dark urine, 
and other symptoms of carbolic acid poisoning {see p. 279). 
Some of its constituents are excreted by mucous membranes, es- 
pecially the bronchial, on which it acts as a disinfectant, stimu- 
lating expectorant. 

Therapeutics. 

External. — -Tar ointment is often applied as a stimulant to 
chronic skin diseases, such as psoriasis and chronic eczema. Be- 
cause of its mildly anaesthetic action, it is sometimes useful in 
pruritus. 

Wood tar is the only official form of tar, but coal tar is often 
used in medicine. The prepared form of it is made by simply 
heating and stirring coal tar at 120 F., for an hour. 



OIL OF CADE. 441 

Liquor Picis Carbonis is a favorite preparation; it may be 
made thus : Dissolve 2 oz. of resin soap {see p. 443) in a pint of 
alcohol; add 4 oz. of prepared coal tar; digest at 125 F. for 
two days, allow it to cool, then decant and filter. An ointment 
of 3 parts of lard with 1 of this solution may be made. 

Liquor Carbonis Detergens is an alcoholic solution of ordi- 
nary coal tar. It is used externally in skin diseases, diluted in 
20 parts of water. 

Internal. — Coal tar is rarely prescribed for internal use. 
Wood tar is only given as an expectorant, and it is very valuable 
for chronic bronchitis. It may be prescribed as a pill or as the 
syrup, or as Vinum Picis (a saturated solution of wood tar in 
sherry, dose 1 to 4 fl 5), or as the French preparation Eau de 
Goudron. Tar water is made by stirring a pint of wood tar with 
half a gallon of water for fifteen minutes and decanting. The 
dose is a pint daily. It may be used externally as a wash. 

OLEUM CADINUM. 

OIL OF CADE. \_Synonym. — Oleum Juniperi Empyreumaticum. A 
product of the dry distillation of the wood of Juniperus Oxycedrus Linne 
(nat. ord. Goniferce). Habitat. — Mediterranean districts of Northern Africa, 
Spain, Portugal and France ; in waste places and on stony hill-sides. 

Characters. — A brownish or dark brown, clear, thick liquid, having a 
tarry odor, and an empyreumatic, burning, somewhat bitter taste. Sp. gr., 
about 0.990. Solubility. — Almost insoluble in water; only partially soluble in 
Alcohol, but is completely soluble in Ether, Chloroform, or Carbon Bisulphide.] 

Composition. — Probably much the same as that of Tar. 

Action and Therapeutics. 

Oil of cade has the same action on the skin as tar, but it is 

preferable as the odor is pleasanter. The diseases treated by the 

application of it are psoriasis, chronic eczema, and pruritus. 

A usual formula is oil of cade, 1 ; soft soap, 4 ; alcohol, 4 ; or 

an ointment is used, made by melting with it an equal part of 

yellow wax. 

PIX BURGUNDICA. 

BURGUNDY PITCH.— [The prepared, resinous exudation of Abies 
excelsa Poiret (nat. ord. Cdniferce). Habitat. — Europe, in the Southern part, 
in mountainous districts. 
38 



442 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Characters. — Hard, yet gradually taking the form of the vessel in which 
it is kept; brittle, with a shining, conchoidal fracture, opaque or translucent, 
reddish-brown or yellowish-brown, odor agreeably terebinthinate ; taste aromatic, 
sweetish, not bitter. Solubility. — Almost entirely in Glacial Acetic Acid, and 
partly soluble in cold Alcohol.] 

Impurities. — Palm Oil, Resin, detected by not being soluble in Glacial 
Acetic Acid. 

Composition. — [The chief constituents are, — (i) Resin; (2) A volatile 
oil, C 10 H 16 , in variable proportion.] 

Burgundy Pitch is contained in Emplastrum Ferri [and Emplastrum Opii.] 

Preparations. 

1. Emplastrum Picis [Burgundicae. — Burgundy Pitch Plaster. 
Burgundy Pitch, 800; Yellow Wax, 150; Olive Oil, 50. 

2. Emplastrum Picis Cantharidatum. — Cantharidal Pitch Plas- 
ter. Synonym. — Warming Plaster. Cerate of Cantharides, 80; Bur- 
gundy Pitch to 1000. Heat the cerate and strain; melt the pitch with 
the strained liquid.] 

Action and Therapeutics. 
Pitch is used as a basis for plasters. It is mildly stimulant to 
the skin. 

RESINA. 

RESIN. [Synonyms. — Colophony, Resin. The residue left after dis- 
tilling off the Volatile Oil from Turpentine. 

Characters. — A transparent, amber-colored substance, hard, brittle, 
pulvcrizable; fracture glossy and shallow-conchoidal; odor and taste faintly 
terebinthinate. Sp. gr. 1.070 to 1. 080. Solubility. — In Alcohol, Ether, and 
fixed or volatile oils; also in solution of Potassium or Sodium Hydrate. 

Composition. — Resin may be considered as Abietic Acid Anhydride, 
C u H 62 4 80 to 90 per cent.] 

Preparations. 

[1. Ceratum Resinae. — Resin Cerate. Synonym. — Basilicon 
Ointment. Resin, 350; Yellow Wax, 150; Lard, 500. 
Resin Cerate is contained in Linimentum Terebinthinae. ] 

2. Emplastrum Resinae. — Resin Plaster. [Synonym. — Adhesive 
Plaster. Resin, 140; Lead Plaster, 800; Yellow Wax, 60.] 
Resin Plaster is contained in Emplastrum Arnicae, Emplastrum Bella- 
donnae, and Emplastrum Capsici. 



MUSTARD. 443 

Action and Therapeutics. 
Resin is antiseptic and slightly stimulant, and is, therefore, an 
excellent application for indolent ulcers, sores and wounds. 
Resin soap is formed by boiling together in an evaporating dish for 
two hours 1800 gr. of resin, 300 gr. of caustic soda, and 1 pint 
of water, separating the soap by a strainer, and drying on a water- 
bath. It may be used as an emulsifying agent, but the taste is 
very disagreeable. 

[TEREBINTHINA CANADENSIS. 

CANADA TURPENTINE. Synonyms.-^ Canada Balsam, Balsam 
of Fir. A liquid oleoresin obtained from Abies balsamea (Linne) Miller (nat. 
ord. Coniferce). Habitat. — Canada and Northern United States, west to 
Minnesota, and south along the mountains to Virginia. 

Characters. — A yellowish or faintly greenish, transparent, viscid liquid, 
of an agreeable, terebinthinate odor, and a bitterish, slightly acrid taste. When 
exposed to the air, it gradually dries, forming a transparent mass. Solubility. 
— Completely in Ether, Chloroform or Benzol. 

Composition. — (1) A volatile oil, 20 to 30 per cent. (2) Resin. (3) 
A bitter principle soluble in water. 

Canada balsam is contained in Collodium Flexile. 

Action and Therapeutics. 

Canada Balsam is rarely used except for its physical property 
of drying to form an adhesive varnish. It has the same action as 
oil of turpentine.] 

SINAPIS. 

[1. SINAPIS ALBA.— White Mustard. The seed of Brassica alba 
(Linne) Hooker Alius et Thompson (nat. ord. Cruciferce). Habitat. — Asia 
and Southern Europe ; cultivated. 

Characters. — About 2 mm. in diameter, almost globular, with a cir- 
cular hilum ; testa yellowish, finely pitted, hard ; embryo oily, with a curved 
radicle, and two cotyledons, one folded over the other ; free from starch ; 
inodorous ; taste pungent and acrid.] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) A bland fixed oil, [20 to 
25 per cent.] (2) Sinalbin, [C 30 H 44 N 2 S 2 O 16 ,] and myrosin ; the latter is a fer- 
ment, and in contact with water converts sinalbin, which is a Glucoside, into a 
fixed pungent body, very acrid but really volatile, called Acrinyl Sulphocyanide, 
[C v H 7 ONCS,] Glucose and Sinapine Sulphate, [C 16 H 23 N0 5 H 2 S0 4 . ] 



444 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

2. SINAPIS NIGRA.— [Black Mustard. The seed of Brassica nigra 
(Linne) Koch (nat. ord. Cruciferece). Habitat. - Asia and Southern Europe; 
cultivated. 

Characters. — About I mm. in diameter, almost globular, with a circular 
hilum ; testa blackish-brown or grayish-brown, finely pitted, hard, embryo oily, 
with a curved radicle, and two cotyledons, one folded over the other ; free 
from starch ; inodorous when dry, but when triturated with water, of a pun- 
gent, penetrating, irritating odor ; taste pungent and acrid.] 

Pesembling black mustard seeds. - Colchicum seeds, which are larger, 
lighter and not quite globular. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (i) The same fixed oil as the 
white seeds, about 25 per cent. (2) Sinigrin (which is Potassium Myronate, 
a Potassium Salt of Myronic Acid, which is a glucoside) and myrosin, a ferment 
which on contact with water converts Sinigrin into the official volatile Oil of 
Mustard, (a. v.,) (C 3 H 5 CNS, which is Allyl Sulphocyanide), Glucose and Acid 
Potassium Sulphate. The volatile oil is very pungent and highly volatile, and 
its development on the addition of water explains the pungency of ordinary 
mustard. 

Preparation. 
[Charta Sinapis. — Mustard Paper. Black Mustard, 100. Perco- 
late the Mustard with a sufficient quantity of Benzin. Remove the 
powder and dry; add to the solution, India rubber, 10 ; Benzin, 100; 
and Carbon Disulphide, 100 ; and with a brush apply to one side of a 
piece of rather stiff, well-sized paper, and dry.] 

3. OLEUM SINAPIS [VOLATILE.— Volatile Oil of Mustard. 
Allyl Sulphocyanide, C 3 H 5 CNS. A volatile oil obtained from Black Mustard 
by maceration with water and subsequent distillation. 

Characters. — A colorless or pale yellow, limpid, and strongly refractive 
liquid, having a very pungent and acrid odor and taste. Sp. gr., 1.018 to 
1.029. Solubility. — Freely in Alcohol, Ether or Carbon Disulphide.] 

Preparation. 
Linimentum Sinapis Compositum. — [Compound Liniment of 
Mustard. Volatile Oil of Mustard, 30; Fluid Extract of Mezereum, 
200; Camphor, 60; Castor Oil, 150; Alcohol, to 1000; by solution.] 

Action of Mustard. 
External. — Mustard is a typical powerful local irritant. 
Thus it first produces dilatation of the vessels, which causes red- 
ness of the skin (rubefacient effect) and a sensation of warmth. 
Because of the irritant action of mustard on the sensory nerves, 



MUSTARD. 445 

a severe burning pain is soon felt. The irritation of the nerves 
is followed by their paralysis, consequently there is a local loss 
of sensibility, and a diminution both of the pain produced by 
the mustard and of any that may have been present before its 
application. The irritation of the vessels leads to the transuda- 
tion of plasma through them ; this, collecting under the epidermis, 
raises it, and thus vesicles, blebs, or blisters are formed (vesi- 
cant effect). Mustard is also a counter-irritant {see p. 54) ; 
that is to say, the stimulation of the cutaneous nerves reflexly 
leads to a dilatation of the vessels of the viscera under the seat of 
application. 

This excitation of the sensory nerves is sufficiently powerful to 
reflexly stimulate the heart and respiration, and some- 
times to restore consciousness after fainting. 

Internal. — Gastro-intestinal tract. — Mustard also acts here 
as an irritant. Taken in the usual small quantities as a condi- 
ment, it causes a sense of warmth in the stomach, it moderately 
stimulates the secretion of gastric juice and the peristaltic move- 
ments, and therefore sharpens the appetite. A dose of one to 
four teaspoonsful stirred up in a tumbler of water is sufficiently 
irritating to be a direct stomachic emetic, causing prompt vomit- 
ing without the depression which usually attends emetics, because 
the mustard reflexly stimulates the heart and respiration. 

Therapeutics. 
External. — A mustard poultice (equal parts of mustard and 
ground flaxseed) is a very common and efficacious application as 
an irritant and counter-irritant in rheumatism, pleurisy, pneu- 
monia, bronchitis, pericarditis, and many inflammatory diseases. 
In the manner already explained, it will, when applied to the 
skin, soothe pain in gastralgia, colic, painful diseases of the chest, 
neuralgia, lumbago, &c. The paper or any of the mustard leaves 
that are sold, moistened in water, form an excellent application. 
Often the local application of mustard over the stomach relieves 
vomiting. A large mustard poultice applied to the legs was 
formerly used as a reflex stimulant in cases of syncope, asphyxia, 
and coma. 



44^ ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Common ct>lds and febrile conditions, especially in children, 
are often treated by placing the feet and legs or the whole body 
in mustard and warm water (10 to 15 ounces of mustard to every 
15 gallons of water, as hot as can be borne), the object being by 
the cutaneous dilatation to withdraw blood from the inflamed 
part. A mustard sitz-bath may be taken at the time of the ex- 
pected period, to induce menstruation. 

Internal. - Mustard is used as a condiment, and also as an 
emetic. It is especially valuable for poisoning by narcotics, be- 
cause of its reflex stimulant effects. 

OLEUM CAJUPUTI. 

[OIL OF CAJUPUT.— A volatile oil distilled from the leaves of 
Melaleuca Leucadendron Linne (nat. ord. Myrtacece). Habitat. — East In- 
dian Islands. 

Characters. — A light, thin, bluish-green, or, after rectification, colorless 
liquid, having a peculiar, agreeable, distinctly camphoraceous odor, and an 
aromatic, bitterish taste. Sp. gr. 0.922 to 0.929. Solubility. — Readily in 
Alcohol. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Cajuputol (Cineol), 
C ao H 18 0; (2) Ethers of Terpilenol, C 10 H 18 O.] 

Impurities. — Copper and other oils. 

Dose, 1 to 5 m. 

Action. 

The action of cajuput oil is exactly the same as that of the oil 
of cloves {see p. 453). 

Therapeutics. 

External. — Cajuput oil is used as a stimulant, irritant, and 
counter-irritant— usually diluted with sweet oil — for all sorts of 
purposes when any of these effects are needed. Thus it is rubbed 
in for chilblains, myalgia, rheumatic pains, chronic inflammatory 
conditions of the joints or periosteum. It has also been em- 
ployed as a parasiticide for Tinea tonsurans. The only objection 
to its use is its strong smell. 

Internal. — It is occasionally given in dyspepsia, usually 
combined with other remedies, for the sake of its carminative, 
stomachic, and antispasmodic effects ; it may be taken on 
sugar. 



EUCALYPTUS. 447 

EUCALYPTUS. 

[EUCALYPTUS. — The leaves of Eucalyptus globulus Labillardiere 
(nat. ord. Myrtacece), collected from the older parts of the tree. Habitat. — 
Australia; cultivated in subtropical countries.] 

Characters. — Petiolate, lanceolately scythe -shaped, from 15 to 30 cm. 
long, rounded below, tapering above, entire, leathery, grayish-green, glandular, 
feather-veined between the midrib, and marginal veins ; odor strongly cam- 
phoraceous; taste pungently aromatic and somewhat cooling, bitter and 
astringent. 

Composition. — (1) A volatile oil (a. v.); (2) Cerylic Alcohol ; (3) Crys- 
tallizable Fatty Acid; (4) Crystal lizable Resin. 

Dose, )4 to 2 dr. 

Preparation. 

Extractum Eucalypti Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Eucalyptus. 
By maceration and percolation with Alcohol and water, and evaporation. 
Dose, }i to 2 fl. dr.] 

OLEUM EUCALYPTI.— [Oil of Eucalyptus. A volatile oil dis- 
tilled from the fresh leaves of Eucalyptus globulus Labillardiere, Eucalyptus 
oleosa F. v. Mueller, and some other species of Eucalyptus (nat. ord. Myrtacece}. 

Characters. — A colorless or faintly yellowish liquid, having a charac- 
teristic, aromatic, somewhat camphoraceous odor, and a pungent, spicy, and 
cooling taste. Sp. gr., 0.915 to 0.925. Solubility. — In all proportions, in 
Alcohol, Carbon Disulphide, or glacial Acetic Acid. The oils from different 
species of Eucalyptus vary very much. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) A volatile oil, Eucalyptol, 
C 10 H 18 O or Cineol (about 70 per cent.); (2) Cymene C 10 H U ; (3) Eucalyp- 
tene C 10 H 16 .] 

Incompatibles. — Alkalies, mineral acids, metallic salts. 

Dose, 5 to 30 m. 

[EUCALYPTOL.— Eucalyptol. C 10 H 18 O=i53.66. A neutral body 
obtained from the volatile oil of Eucalyptus globulus Labillardiere, and of 
some other species of Eucalyptus (nat. ord. Myrtacece). 

Source. — In the distillation of Eucalyptus leaves, crude Eucalyptol comes 
over between 338 and 352.4 F., and is purified by redistillation from Caustic 
Potash or Calcium Chloride. 

Characters. — A colorless liquid, having a characteristic, aromatic, and 
distinctly camphoraceous odor, and a pungent, spicy, and cooling taste. Sp. 
gr., 0.930. Solubility. — In all proportions, in Alcohol, Carbon Disulphide, 
and glacial Acetic Acid. 

Dose, 5 to 30 m.] 



44-8 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 



Action. 



External. — Oil of eucalyptus is much less irritant when ap- 
plied externally than other volatile oils, but if its vapor is con- 
fined it will produce vesication and pustulation. It is power- 
fully antiseptic and disinfectant. Old oil is more anti- 
septic than new, probably from the greater amount of ozone it 
contains. 

Internal. — Gastro- intestinal tract. — In medicinal doses oil 
of eucalyptus is stomachic, having the same action as oil of cloves. 
In large doses it produces severe gastro-intestinal irritation, as 
shown by vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain. 

Circulation. — It, like quinine, arrests the movements of the 
white blood-corpuscles ; and it likewise resembles this drug in its 
antipyretic and its antiperiodic actions, and also, it is said, in 
causing contraction of spleen ; but quinine is in all respects the 
more energetic. In medicinal doses the heart is stimulated by 
oil of eucalyptus, and the blood-pressure rises; probably these 
effects are reflex from the stomach. After large quantities the 
action of the heart is enfeebled, and temperature falls. 

Respiration. — Small doses slightly accelerate, poisonous doses 
slow respiration. 

Nervous system. — Large doses are powerfully depressant to the 
brain, to the medulla, and to the spinal cord, abolishing reflex 
action. Death occurs from paralysis of respiration. 

Mucus membranes, kidneys, and skin. — Like other volatile 
oils, eucalyptus is excreted by all these channels. It imparts its 
odor to and disinfects the breath and the urine. It stimulates 
the organs by which it is excreted, consequently it is a diapho- 
retic, a stimulating expectorant, a diuretic, and a stimulant to the 
genito-urinary tract. Large doses cause renal congestion. 

Therapeutics. 

External. — It is used as an antiseptic for wounds, sores, and 
ulcers. It is three times as powerful as carbolic acid, and is 
therefore preferred by some surgeons. A eucalyptus gauze 
has been prepared as a dressing for wounds, which may be 



ARNICA. 449 

washed with a weak solution of the oil in alcohol. An oint- 
ment of oil of eucalyptus, 8; iodoform, i ; paraffin and vaseline 
40, is applied to chancres. An emulsion of the oil is used 
as an urethral injection. It would probably be an efficient para- 
siticide. 

Internal. — A vapor or the spray of oil of eucalyptus has 
been recommended for diphtheria and fetid bronchitis, and it is 
sometimes given by the mouth to correct the fcetor of the ex- 
pectoration. Occasionally it is used for its stomachic, carmina- 
tive effects, especially if the faeces are very foul smelling, and 
some employ it in cystitis and pyelitis. It has been prescribed 
in septicaemia. As an antiperiodic for ague and an antipyretic 
it is far inferior to quinine. [In most cases eucalyptol can be 
substituted for the oil with advantage]. 

OLEUM ROSMARINI. 

OIL OF ROSEMARY.— [A volatile oil distilled from the leaves of 
Rosmarimis officinalis Linne (nat. ord. Labiates). Habitat. — Basin of the 
Mediterranean ; cultivated. 

Characters. — A colorless or pale yellow, limpid liquid, having the 
characteristic, pungent odor of Rosemary, and a warm, somewhat camphora- 
ceous taste. Sp. gr. , 0.895 to °-9 1 5- Solubility. — In an equal volume of Alco- 
hol; also soluble in an equal volume of Glacial Acetic Acid.] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) A terpene, [C 10 H 16 , 80 per 
cent. (2) Cineol, C 10 H 18 O. (3) Borneol, C 10 H 16 O.] 

Dose, 1 to 5 m. 

Oil of Rosemary is contained in Linimentum Saponis and Tinctura Lavan- 
dula Composita. 

Action and Therapeutics. 
Oil of rosemary has an action similar to that of other aromatic 
volatile oils. It is very commonly used to give a pleasant scent 
to lotions and other preparations which are used externally. 

ARNICA. 

[ARNICA FLORES. - Arnica Flowers. The flower heads of Arnica 
montana Linne (nat. ord. Composite?). Habitat. — Europe and Northern Asia ; 
in mountainous districts. 

Character. — Heads about 3 cm. broad, depressed-roundish, consisting of 
scaly involucre in two rows, and a small, nearly flat, hairy receptacle, bearing 



450 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

about sixteen yellow, strap-shaped, ten-nerved ray-florets, and numerous yellow, 
five-toothed, tubular disk-florets, having slender, spindle-shaped achenes, 
crowned by a hairy pappus. Odor feeble, aromatic ; taste bitter and acrid. 

Composition. — (i) Arnicin, amorphous, yellow, acrid, bitter principle; 
easily soluble in Alcohol and Ether. (2) Volatile Oil. (3) Resin. 

Dose, 10 to 20 gr. 

Preparation. 

Tinctura Arnicae Florum. — Tincture of Arnica Flowers. Arnica 
Flowers, 200; by percolation with diluted Alcohol to 1000. 
Dose, 15 to 45 m.] 

ARNICA [RADIX. — Arnica Root. The rhizome and roots of Arnica 
montana Linne (nat. ord. Composites). 

Characters. — Rhizome about 5 cm. long, and 3 or 4 mm. thick ; exter- 
nally brown, rough from leaf-scars ; internally whitish, with a rather thick 
bark, containing a circle of resin-cells, surrounding the short, yellowish wood- 
wedges, and large, spongy pith. The roots numerous, thin, fragile, grayish- 
brown, with a thick bark containing a circle of resin-cells. Odor somewhat 
aromatic; taste pungently aromatic and bitter.] Resembling Arnica. — Valerian 
and Serpentaria, each having a characteristic odor; Veratrum Viride, having 
thicker rootlets. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — [(1) Arnicin. (2) A volatile 
oil. (3) Tannic Acid. 

Dose 5 to 20 gr. 

Preparation. 

1. Extractum Arnica? Radicis. — Extract of Arnica Root. By 
maceration and percolation with diluted Alcohol, and evaporation. 

Dose, 5 to 10 gr. 

Extract of Arnica Root is used to make Emplastrum Arnicae. 

2. Extractum Arnicae Radicis Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of 
Arnica Root. By maceration and percolation with Alcohol and water, 
and evaporation. 

Dose, 5 to 20 m. 

3. Tinctura Arnicae Radicis. — Tincture of Arnica Root. Arnica 
Root, 100; by maceration and percolation with Alcohol and water to 1 000. 

Dose, 5 to 10 m. 

4. Emplastrum Arnicas. — Arnica Plaster. Extract of Arnica 
Root, 330; resin plaster, 670.] 

Action and Therapeutics. 
The action of arnica is the same as that of volatile oils gen- 
erally. Externally the tincture is used as an application to 



MEZEREUM. 45 I 

bruises, but it is very doubtful how far its good effects are owing 
to the spirit, and how far to any increase of cutaneous vascularity 
due to the volatile oil of the arnica. 

It is rarely given internally, but in small doses it is a sto- 
machic, a carminative, and a reflex stimulant, and in larger doses 
causes vomiting and purging. It is excreted by the kidneys and 
mucous membranes, and it has been credited with obscure effects 
on the central nervous system. 

MEZEREUM. 

[MEZEREUM. Synonym.— Mezereon. The bark of Daphne Meze- 
reum Linne, and other species of Daphne (nat. ord. Thytuelceacece). Habi- 
tat. — Europe in mountainous regions, eastward to Siberia; spontaneous in 
Canada and New England. 

Characters. — In long thin bands, usually folded or rolled into disks ; outer 
surface yellowish or brownish yellow, with transverse scars, and minute, black- 
ish dots, underneath of a light greenish color; inner surface whitish, silky; 
bast in transverse layers, very tough; inodorous; taste very acrid.] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (i) A soft, [acrid resin. (2) 
An acrid, rubefacient, volatile oil. (3) Daphnin, C J5 H 16 9 -|-2H 2 0, a bitter glu- 
coside in fine needles or rectangular plates. (4) Coccogin, C 20 H. 22 O 8 , a bitter 
principle.] 

Mezereum is contained in Decoctum Sarsaparillae Compositum and Ex- 
tractum Sarsaparillae Compositum Fluidum. 

Preparation. 

Extractum Mezerei [Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Mezereum. 
By maceration and percolation with Alcohol and evaporation. 
Dose, 5 to 15 m.] 

Fluid Extract of Mezereum is used in Linamentum Sinapis Compositum. 

Action and Therapeutics. 

External. — Mezereon has the same action as volatile oils 
generally. It is a powerful rubefacient and vesicant externally, 
and is used chiefly in the compound mustard liniment, where it 
excites the same effects and is employed for the same purposes as 
the oil of mustard. 

Internal. — It is a gastric stimulant, producing, in large doses, 
vomiting and diarrhoea. 



452 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDIC A. 

Class II of Volatile Oils. 

Those used chiefly for their action on the gastro-intestinal tract. 

PYRETHRUM. 

PYRETHRUM. Synonym— [Pellitory. The root of Anacydus Py- 

rethrwn (Linne) De Candolle (nat. ord. Composite). Habitat. — Highlands of 

Northern Africa. 

Characters. —From 5 to 10 cm. long, and 1 to 2 cm. thick, somewhat 
fusiform, nearly simple, annulate above, wrinkled below, externally dark grayish- 
brown ; internally brownish-white ; fracture short ; bark rather thick, contain- 
ing two circles of resin-cells, and surrounding the slender wood-bundles and 
medullary rays, the latter having about four circles of shining resin-cells ; 
inodorous, pungent and very acrid.] Resembling Pyrethrum. — Taraxacum, 
which is darker, and has not a burning taste. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are. — (1) Volatile Oil. (2) 
[Acrid, brown Resin. (3) Inulin, 50 per cent., which in many plants replaces 
starch.] 

Dose, ^ to 1 dr. 

Preparation. 
Tinctura Pyrethri. — [Tincture of Pyrethrum. Pyrethrum, 200; 
by maceration and percolation with Alcohol and water to 1000.] 

Action and Therapeutics. 
Pyrethrum is a powerful sialogogue, and causes a burning sen- 
sation in the mouth, followed by numbness and tingling. Small 
quantities give a pleasant taste to tooth powders. 

CARYOPHYLLUS. 

CLOVES. [The unexpanded flowers of Eugenia aromatica (Linne) O. 
Kuntze (nat. ord. Afyrtacetc). Habitat. — Molucca Islands ; cultivated in tropi- 
cal countries. 

Characters. — About 15 mm. long, dark brown, consisting of a subcylin- 
drical, solid and glandular calyx-tube, terminated by four teelfc, and sur- 
mounted by a globular head, formed of four petals, which cover numerous 
curved stamens, and one style. Cloves emit oil, when scratched, and have a 
strong, aromatic odor, and a pungent, spicy taste.] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Oleum Caryophylli, 
[(q. v.) 18 per cent.] (2) Eugenin, [C 10 H 12 O 2 ,] a crystalline body. (3) 
Caryophyllin, [C 10 H ]6 O,] a neutral body isomeric with Camphor. 

Dose, 5 to 30 gr. 

Cloves are contained in Vinum Opii, Tinctura Rhei Aromatica, and Tinc- 
tura Lavendulae Composita. 



cloves. 45 3 

OLEUM CARYOPHYLLI. — [Oil of Cloves. A volatile oil distilled 
from Cloves. 

Charactkrs. — A pale yellow, thin liquid, becoming darker and thicker 
by age and exposure to the air, having a strongly aromatic odor of Cloves, and 
a pungent and spicy taste. Sp. gr., 1.060 to 1.067. Solubility. — Soluble in an 
equal volume of Alcohol; also soluble in an equal volume of glacial Acetic 
Acid.] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Eugenol {synonym Eu- 
genic Acid) C 10 H 12 O 2 , which chemically resembles Phenol, and forms perma- 
nent Salts with Alkalies. (2) A terpene, C 15 H 24 . 

Dose, 1 to 5 m. 

Incompatibles. — Lime Water, Salts of Iron, mineral acids and Gelatin. 

Action of Cloves and Oil of Cloves. 

Oil of cloves is a typical example of a volatile oil the most 
important actions of which are exerted in the stomach. 

External. — When rubbed into the skin it is stimulant, 
rubefacient, irritant, and counter-irritant, and gives rise 
to considerable vascular dilatation. At first it causes a sensation 
of tingling and pain, which afterwards is replaced by local 
anaesthesia. It is a parasiticide and antiseptic. 

Internal. — Mouth. — In the mouth, oil of cloves produces the 
same effects as on the skin; there is a burning sensation accom- 
panied by vascular dilatation and an increased flow of saliva, and 
followed by local anaesthesia. Cloves stimulate the nerves of 
taste, and being volatile and aromatic, those of smell also; by 
both these means taste is sharpened. 

Stomach. — The stimulant effect of cloves is experienced here. 
The vessels are dilated, peristalsis is accelerated, the 
secretion of gastric juice is excited, and as cloves are pleasant 
and aromatic, they do not ordinarily produce nausea; conse- 
quently the appetite is increased. The combined effect of 
these actions is to aid digestive processes — therefore oil of cloves 
is stomachic ; and to facilitate the expulsion of gas — thus it is 
carminative. The stimulation of the gastric nerves to a slight 
extent reflexly affects the heart in the same way as alcohol; 
therefore the rate and force of the pulse are moderately 
increased. 



454 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Intestines. — Here likewise oil of cloves dilates the vessels, and 
stimulates the secretion and the muscular coat of the intestine; 
consequently colicky pains due to irregular contraction of it are 
relieved, and flatus is expelled. 

Circulation. — Oil of cloves is readily absorbed from the intes- 
tine, circulates in the blood, and is said to increase the number 
of white corpuscles. It may to a slight extent stimulate the 
heart directly, but the greater part of the stimulation of the heart 
excited by it is reflex from the stomach. It is credited with the 
power of arresting painful spasmodic contractions in various parts 
of the body. It can, as we have seen, do this in the intestine, 
and possibly it may have to a slight extent the same action in the 
bronchial tubes, heart, etc. This causes it to be called anti- 
spasmodic. 

Mucous membranes. — Like other volatile oils it is excreted by the 
kidneys, skin, bronchi, and genito-urinary tract, and in passing 
through these structures will act as a stimulating disinfectant to 
their secretion ; but oil of cloves is never used for these purposes. 

Therapeutics of Cloves and Oil of Cloves. 

External. — Oil of cloves is too expensive for frequent ex- 
ternal application, but on account of its local anaesthetic effect it 
has been used for neuralgia. It is employed to give a pleasant 
scent to liniments. 

Internal. — The oil is sometimes dropped into decayed teeth 
to relieve pain. Cloves are frequently employed in cookery for 
their taste, and because they stimulate the appetite and aid diges- 
tion. The oil or the infusion [B.P., i in 40], may be used medici- 
nally as a stomachic, as a carminative, as an antispasmodic, or to 
relieve colicky pains in indigestion. It will be noticed that oil 
of cloves is sometimes combined with preparations of scammony, 
of castor oil, and of colocynth. This is to prevent the griping 
these purgatives might otherwise cause. 

PIMENTA. 
PIMENTA. — [Synonym. — Allspice. The nearly ripe fruit of Pimento, 
officinalis Lindley (nat. ord. Myrtacece.) Habitat. — Tropical America ; 
cultivated. 






pepper. 455 

Characters. — About 5 mm. in diameter, nearly globular, crowned with 
the short, four-parted calyx or its remnants, and a short style ; brownish or 
brownish-gray, granular and glandular, two-celled; each cell containing one 
brown plano-convex, roundish-reniform seed; odor and taste pungently aro- 
matic, clove-like.] Resembling Pimenta. — Pepper, which has no calyx ; Cubeb, 
which is stalked. 

Composition. — The chief ingredient is — (1) [Oleum Pimento, (q. v.), 3 
to 4 per cent. (2) Resin. (3) Tannin. 

Dose, 5 to 30 gr.] 

OLEUM PIMENTiE.— [Oil of Pimenta. Synonym.— Oil of Allspice. 
A volatile oil distilled from Pimenta. 

Characters. — A colorless or pale yellow liquid, having a strong, aro- 
matic, Clove-like odor, and a pungent, spicy taste. It becomes darker and 
thicker by age and exposure to the air. Sp. gr., 1. 045 to 1. 055. Solubility. — 
With an equal volume of Alcohol it forms a clear solution. 

Dose, 1 to 5 m.] 

[Oleum Pimento is used in Spiritus Myrciae and Spiritus Ammoniae 
Aromaticus. ] 

Action and Therapeutics. 

The action and uses of pimenta and its oils are precisely the 
same as those of cloves and oil of cloves. 

PIPER. 

PEPPER. — [Synonym.— Black Pepper. The unripe fruit of Piper 
Nigrum, Linne (nat. ord. Piperacece.) Habitat. — India; cultivated in the 
tropics. 

Characters. — Globular, about 4 mm. in diameter, reticulately wrinkled, 
brownish-black, or grayish-black, internally lighter, hollow, with an undevel- 
oped embryo; odor aromatic; taste pungently spicy.] Resembling Black Pep- 
per. — Pimenta, which has a calyx; Cubeb, which is stalked. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) An Oleoresin. (2) Pi- 
perin, [(q. v.) 6 to 8 per cent. (3) Volatile Oil, I to 2 per cent. 

Dose, 5 to 20 gr. 

Preparation. 

Oleoresina Piperis. — Oleoresin of Pepper. By percolation with 
Ether, distillation and evaporation of the residue. 
Dose % to 1 gr.] 

[PIPERINUM.— Piperin. C 17 H 19 N0 3 =284.38. A neutral principle 
obtained from Pepper, and obtainable also from other plants of the natural 
order Piperacece. 



45^ ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Characters. — Colorless or pale yellowish, shining, prismatic crystals, 
odorless and almost tasteless when first put in the mouth, but on prolonged 
contact producing a sharp and bitter sensation. Permanent in the air.- Solu- 
bility. — Almost insoluble in water; soluble in 30 parts of Alcohol; also 
slightly soluble in Ether. Isomeric with Morphine, it decomposes into Piperic 
Acid, C 12 H 10 O 4 , and a liquid Alkaloid Piperidine, C.H U N.] 

Dose, 1 to 10 gr. 

Action. 

Pepper, because of its volatile oil, acts like other substances 
containing volatile oils ; thus externally it is at first rubefacient 
and counter-irritant, and subsequently it acts as an anodyne. In- 
ternally it increases the secretions of the mouth, and in the 
stomach it is stomachic and carminative. During its excretion it 
stimulates the mucous membrane of the genito-urinary tract. 
Piperin is believed to be a feeble antipyretic and antiperiodic. 

Therapeutics. 
Occasionally pepper is used externally as an irritant for the 
same class of cases as mustard. Internally it may be employed 
in the form of a gargle, as a stimulant for the relaxed conditions 
of the throat. It is taken in the form of a condiment for its 
stomachic properties. The confection [B. P., Pepper, 2; Car- 
away, 3; Honey, 16,], or pepper lozenges are given empirically 
to relieve haemorrhoids, ulcers of the rectum, and fissures of the 

anus. • 

MYRISTICA. 

NUTMEG. — The [seed of Myristica Fragrans Houttuyn (nat. ord. My- 
risticacece), deprived of its testa. Habitat. — Molucca Islands; cultivated in 
tropical countries. 

Characters. — Oval or roundish-ovate, about 25 mm. long, light brown, 
reticulately furrowed, with a circular scar on the broad end; internally pale 
brownish, with dark orange-brown veins, and of a fatty lustre; odor strongly 
aromatic; taste aromatic, warm, and somewhat bitter.] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) The fixed oil, 25 to 30 per 
cent. (2) The volatile oil, [see below), 2 to 8 per cent. 

Dose, 5 to 15 gr. 

Myristica is contained in [Pulvis Aromaticus, and Tinctura Lavandulae 
Composita.] 

OLEUM MYRISTICiE.— [Oil of Nutmeg. A volatile oil distilled 
from Nutmeg. 



CINNAMON. 457 

Characters. — A thin, colorless or pale yellowish liquid, having the 
characteristic odor of Nutmeg, and a warm, spicy taste. It becomes darker 
and thicker by age and exposure to the air. Sp. gr., 0.870 to 0.900. Solubility. 
— In an equal volume of Alcohol.] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Myristicene, [C 10 H ]6 ,], 
a terpene. (2) Myristicol, [C 10 H u O,] a stearopten. 

Dose, 1 to 3 m. 

Preparation. 

Spiritus Myristicae. — [Spirit of Nutmeg. Synonym. — Essence ot 
Nutmeg. Oil of Nutmeg, 50; Alcohol, 950. 
Dose, x / z to 1 fl. dr.] 

[MACIS. 

MACE. — The arillode of the seed of Myristica fragrans Houttuyn 
(nat. ord. Myristicacecz). Habitat. — Molucca Islands ; cultivated in the tropics. 

Characters. — In narrow bands, 25 mm. or more long, somewhat 
branched and lobed above, united into broader bands below; brownish- 
orange; fatty when scratched or pressed; odor fragrant, taste warm and 
aiomatic. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are (1) a volatile oil, 8 per cent., 
a greater portion of which is Macene, C 10 H 16 . (2) Resin. (3) Dextrin. 

Dose, 5 to 20 gr.] 

Action and Therapeutics. 

The action of oil of nutmeg is the same as that of other 
aromatic oils. Nutmegs [and mace] are much employed in 
cookery for the sake of their volatile oil, which is an agreeable 
stomachic. 

CINNAMOMUM. 

[CINNAMOMUM SAIGONICUM.— Saigon Cinnamon. The bark 
of an undetermined species of CinnamoiJium (nat. ord. Laurinea). Habitat. 
— China. 

Characters. — In quills about 15 cm. long, and 10 to 15 mm. in 
diameter, the bark 2 or 3 mm. thick ; outer surface gray or light grayish-brown 
with whitish patches, more or less rough from numerous warts and some trans- 
verse ridges and fine longitudinal wrinkles ; the inner surface cinnamon-brown 
or dark brown, granular and slightly striate ; fracture short, granular, in the 
outer layer cinnamon-colored, having near the cork numerous whitish striae 
forming an almost uninterrupted line; odor fragrant; taste sweet, warmly 
aromatic, somewhat astringent.] 
39 



45^ ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

[CINNAMOMUM ZEYLANICUM.— Ceylon Cinnamon. The 
inner bark of the shoots of Cinnamomnm zeylanicum Breyne (nat. ord. 
Laurineit). Habitat. — Ceylon; cultivated. 

Characters. — Long, closely rolled quills, composed of eight or more 
layers of bark of the thickness of paper; pale yellowish-brown; outer surface 
smooth, marked with wavy lines of bast-bundles ; inner surface striate; fracture 
short-splintery; odor fragrant; taste sweet and warmly aromatic. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (i) A volatile oil, ^ to \)/ z 
per cent. (2) Tannin. (3) Sugar. (4) Mannit.] 

Impurity. — Cassia Bark. 

Preparations. 

[1. Pulvis Aromaticus. — Aromatic Powder. Ceylon Cinnamon, 
35; Cardamom, 15; Ginger, 35; Nutmeg, 15. 
Dose, 10 to 30 gr. 

Aro??iatic Powder is used to make Extractum Aromaticum Fluidum. 

2. Tinctura Cinnamomi. — Tincture of Cinnamon. Ceylon Cin- 
namon, 100; Glycerin, 50; Alcohol and water to 1 000. By percolation. 

Dose, 1 to 2 fl. dr. 

3. Extractum Aromaticum Fluidum. — Aromatic Fluid Extract. 
Aromatic Powder, by maceration and percolation with Alcohol, and 
evaporation. 

Dose, 10 to 30 m.] 

[CINNAMOMUM CASSIA.— Cassia Cinnamon. Synonym.— Cassia 
Bark. The bark of the shoots of one or more undetermined species of Cin- 
namomum grown in China (Chinese Cinnamon) (nat. ord. LaurineoS). Habi- 
tat. — China. 

Characters. — In quills of varying length and about 1 mm. or more in 
thickness ; nearly deprived of the corky layer ; yellowish -brown ; outer sur- 
face somewhat rough; fracture neai-ly smooth; odor fragrant; taste sweet, and 
warmly aromatic. 

Composition. — (1) Volatile Oil. (2) Tannin. (3) Sugar. (4) Mannit. 

Cinnamon is contained in Tinctura Cardamomi Composita, Tinctura Cat- 
echu Composita, Tinctura Lavandulae Composita and Vinum Opii.] 

OLEUM CINNAMOMI.— [Oil of Cinnamon. Synonym.— Oil of 
Cassia. A volatile oil distilled from Cassia Cinnamon. 

CHARACTERS. — A yellowish or brownish liquid, becoming darker and 
thicker by age and exposure to the air, having the characteristic odor of 
Cinnamon, and a sweetish, spicy, and burning taste. Sp. gr. , 1.055 to 1.065. 
Solubility — In an equal volume of Alcohol.] 



capsicum. 459 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (i) Chiefly Cinnamic Alde- 
hyde, C 9 H s O. (2) Cinnamyl Acetate. (3) In old oil, Cinnamic Acid. 
Dose, 1 to 5 m.] 
Oil of Cinnamon is contained in Acidum Sulphuricum Aromaticum. 

Preparations. 

[1. Aqua Cinnamomi. — Cinnamon Water. Oil of Cinnamon, 2; 
by trituration with precipitated Calcium Phosphate and addition of dis- 
tilled water to 1000. 

Dose, l / 2 to 1 fl. oz. 

Cinnamon Water is contained in Infusum Digitalis. 

2. Spiritus Cinnamomi. — Spirit of Cinnamon. Oil of Cinna- 
mon, 100; Alcohol, 900. 

Dose, 10 to 30 m.] 

Action and Therapeutics. 

Oil of cinnamon has the same action as other aromatic vola- 
tile oils, and is therefore stomachic and carminative. Cinnamon 
bark in addition has, in virtue of its tannic acid, some astringent 
action, and is consequently a common flavoring stomachic vehicle 
for astringent powders and mixtures, except such as contain iron. 

CAPSICUM. 

CAPSICUM. [Synonyms. — Cayenne Pepper, African Pepper. The 
fruit of Capsicum fastigiatum Blume (nat. ord. Solanacea). Habitat. — 
Tropical America; cultivated in tropical countries. 

Characters. — Oblong-conical, from 10 to 20 mm. long, supported by a 
flattish, cup-shaped, five-toothed calyx, with a red, shining membranous and 
translucent pericarp, enclosing two cells, and containing flat, reniform, yellow- 
ish seeds attached to a thick, central placenta. It has a peculiar odor, and an 
intensely hot taste.] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — -(1) Capsaicin, C 9 H u N0 2 , a 
crystallizable acrid substance. (2) Capsicin, a volatile Alkaloid smelling like 
conine. (3) A volatile oil. (4) A Resin. (5) Fatty matter. 

Dried and powdered it constitutes red pepper. 

Impurities. — Various red substances, e. g., red-lead. 

Dose, 1 to 8 gr. 

Preparations. 

[1. Extractum Capsici Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Capsicum. 
By maceration and percolation with Alcohol, and evaporation. 
Dose, 1 to 8 m. 



460 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

2. Oleoresina Capsici. — Oleoresin of Capsicum. By percola 
tion with Ether and distillation, and evaporation of the residue. 

Dose, % to 1 m.] 

3. Tinctura Capsici. — [Tincture of Capsicum. Capsicum, 50. 
By percolation with Alcohol and water to 1000. 

Dose, 5 to 60 m. 

4. Emplastrum Capsici. — Capsicum Plaster. Resin plaster 
and Oleoresin of Capsicum. Cover muslin with the melted plaster, 
coat it when cool, by brushing on the Oleoresin.] 

Action. 
The action of capsicum is like that of volatile oils generally. 
Thus externally it is a powerful rubefacient, irritant, and counter- 
irritant. Internally in small doses it stimulates the gastric secre- 
tions, causes dilatation of the gastric vessels, and excites the 
muscular coat. It is therefore stomachic and carminative. 

Therapeutics. 
Capsicum is used as a condiment. Medicinally it is given as a 
stomachic and carminative in dyspepsia, particularly that of drunk- 
ards when it is required either to excite the appetite and digestion, 
or to cause the evacuation of gas. 

ZINGIBER. 

GINGER. — The [rhizome of Zingiber officinale Roscoe (nat. ord. 
Scitaminece). Habitat. — India ; cultivated in the tropics. 

Characters. — About 5 to 10 cm. long, 10 to 15 mm. broad, and 4 to 8 
mm. thick, flattish, on one side lobed or clavately branched ; deprived of the 
corky layer; pale, buff-colored, striate, breaking with a mealy, rather fibrous 
fracture, showing numerous small, scattered resin-cells and fibro-vascular 
bundles, the latter enclosed by a nucleus sheath ; agreeably aromatic, and of a 
pungent and warm taste.] Resembling Ginger. — Turmeric, which is yellow. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) An aromatic volatile oil, 
giving the flavor. (2) Resin. [(3) Gingerol, to which the hot taste is due. 

Ginger is contained in Pulvis Rhei Compositus and Pulvis Aromaticus. 

Dose, 5 to 15 gr. 

Preparations. 

1. Extractum Zingiberis Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Ginger. 
By maceration and percolation with Alcohol, and evaporation. 
Dose, 5 to 15 m. 

Fluid Extract of Ginger is used in Syrupus Zingiberis. 



CARDAMOM. 46 I 

2. Oleoresina Zingiberis. — Oleoresin of Ginger. By percolation 
with Ether, distillation, and evaporation of the residue. 

Dose, y z to 2 m. 

3. Tinctura Zingiberis. — Tincture of Ginger. Ginger, 200. 
By percolation with Alcohol to 1 000. 

Dose, % to 1 fl. dr. 

Tincture of Ginger is used in Trochisci Zingiberis. 

4. Syrupus Zingiberis. — Syrup of Ginger. Fluid Extract of 
Ginger, 30; Sugar, 850; water to 1000. By trituration with Precipi- 
tated Calcium Phosphate, solution and filtration. 

Dose, y 2 to 2 fl. dr. 

5. Trochisci Zingiberis. — Troches of Ginger. Tincture of 
Ginger, 20; Tragacanth, 4; Sugar, 130 gm.; Syrup of Ginger in suffi- 
cient quantity, to make 1 00 troches. 

Dose. — Freely.] 

Action and Therapeutics. 
Its action is the same as that of other substances containing 
aromatic volatile oils. It is chiefly used as a stomachic, car- 
minative, and flavoring agent. 

CARDAMOMUM. 

CARDAMOM. — The [fruit of Elettaria repens (Sonnrat) Baillon (nat. 
ord. Scitaminece) . Habitat. — Malabar; cultivated in India. 

Characters. — Ovoid or oblong, from 10 to 15 mm. long, obtusely 
triangular, rounded at the base, beaked, longitudinally striate ; of a pale buff 
color, three-celled, with a thin, leathery, nearly tasteless pericarp, and a central 
placenta. The seeds are about 4 mm. long, reddish-brown, angular, rugose, 
depressed at the hilum, surrounded by a thin, membranous arillus, and have 
an agreeable odor and a pungent, aromatic taste.] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) A volatile oil, 4 to 5 per 
cent, which is a terpene, C 10 H 16 . (2) A fixed oil, 10 to 11 per cent. The 
pericarp is medicinally inactive. 

Cardamom is contained in Extractum Colocynthidis Compositum, Tinc- 
tura Gentianae Composita, Tinctura Rhei, Pulvis Aromaticus, Tinctura Gen- 
tianae Composita, and Tinctura Rhei [Dulcfs.] 

Dose, 10 to 15 gr. 

Preparations. 

[ i. Tinctura Cardamomi. — Tincture of Cardamom. Cardamom, 
100. By maceration and percolation with diluted Alcohol to 1 000. 
Dose, 1 to 2 fl. dr. 



462 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

2. Tinctura Cardamomi Composita. — Compound Tincture of 
Cardamom. Cardamom, 20; Caraway, 10; Cassia Cinnamon, 20; 
Cochineal, 5 ; Glycerin, 50. By percolation with diluted Alcohol 
to 1000. 

Dose, 2 to 4 fl. dr.] 

Action and Therapeutics. 

Cardamom, because of its volatile oil, acts like cloves or pep- 
per ; therefore it is carminative and stomachic. As it has a 
pleasant taste, and the tincture is of a red color, it is much used as 
a coloring and flavoring agent. A good flavoring carminative is 
the Tinctura Carminativa of the Brit. Pharm. Conference. It 
contains cardamom, 600 gr. ; strong tincture of ginger, 1% fig ; 
oil of cinnamon, oil of caraway, oil of cloves, each 100 TTL > 
rectified spirit to 20 ^ Dose, 2 to 10 TTL- 

SUMBUL. 

SUMBUL. — Synonym. — Musk Root. The root [of Ferula Sumbul 
(Kauffmann) Hooker Alius (nat. ord. Umb el lifer ic). Habitat. — Central and 
Northeastern Asia. 

Characters. — In transverse segments, varying in diameter from about 
2 to 7 cm., and in length from 15 to 30 mm.; light, spongy, annulate or 
longitudinally wrinkled ; bark thin, brown, more or less bristly fibrous ; the 
interior whitish, with numerous brownish-yellow resin-dots and irregular, easily 
separated fibres ; odor strong, musk-like ; taste bitter and balsamic.] 

COiMPOSITION. — The chief constituents are — (1) A volatile oil. (2) 
Resin. (3) Valerianic Acid. (4) Angelic Acid. [(5) Methylcrotonic Acid.] 

Preparation. 
Tinctura Sumbul. — [Tincture of Sumbul. Sumbul, 100; by 
maceration and percolation with Alcohol and water, to 1 000. 
Dose, 1 to 4 fl. dr.] 

Action and Therapeutics. 
The action of sumbul is the same as that of volatile oils in 
general. It is only used internally, and is given as a carminative 
in flatulence. It is also employed in much the same class of cases 
as valerian — that is to say, in neurotic conditions, hysteria, etc. 
In Russia it is given chiefly as a stimulant in typhoid fever, dys- 
entery, diarrhoea, etc., for the same purposes as musk is employed 
in many other countries. 



OIL OF BERGAMOT. 463 

OLEUM LAVANDULA [FLORUM.] 

OIL OF LAVENDER [FLOWERS.— A volatile oil distilled from 
the fresh flowers of Lavandula officinalis Chaix (nat. ord. Labiates), Habitat. 
— Southern Europe; cultivated. 

Characters. — A colorless or yellowish liquid, having the fragrant odor 
of Lavender Flowers, and a pungent and bitter taste. Sp. gr., 0.885 to °-^97. 
Solubility. — In all proportions in Alcohol.] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Terpene. (2) Stearop- 
ten. 

Dose, 1 to 4 m. 

Preparations. 

1. Spiritus Lavandulae. — [Spirit of Lavender. Oil of Lavender 
Flowers, 50; deodorized Alcohol, 950. 

Dose, ]/ 2 to 1 fl. dr.] 

2. Tinctura Lavandulae Composita. — [Compound Tincture of 
Lavander. Synonym. — Compound Spirit of Lavender. Oil of Lav- 
ender, Flowers, 8 ; Oil of Rosemary, 2; Cassia Cinnamon, 20; Cloves, 
5; Nutmeg, 10; Red Saunders, 10; Alcohol, 700; water, 250; diluted 
Alcohol to 1000. By mixing and percolation. 

Dose, ^ to 1 fl. dr.] 
Compound Tincture of Lavender is contained in Liquor [Potassii Arsenitis.] 

Action and Therapeutics. 

Lavender, especially in the form of the compound tincture, 
makes a very agreeable gastric stimulant, carminative and color- 

[OLEUM BERGAMOTTiE. 

OIL OF BERGAMOT. Synonym.— Oleum Bergamii. A volatile 
oil obtained by expression from the rind of the fresh fruit of Citrus Bergamia 
Risso et Poiteau (nat. ord. Rutaceoz). Habitat. — Sicily; naturalized in sub- 
tropical countries. 

Characters. — A greenish or greenish-yellow, thin liquid, having a 
peculiar, very fragrant odor, and an aromatic, bitter taste. Sp. gr., 0.880 to 
0.885. Solubility. — In Alcohol and in Glacial Acetic Acid. 

Composition. — It consists of — (1) Citrene, C 10 H 16 , a terpene. (2) Be- 
gaptene or Bergamot Camphor. 

Action and Uses. 

Although possessed of the excitant properties of volatile oils 
in general it is used chiefly, if not exclusively, as a perfume.] 



464 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

[MENTHA PIPERITA. 

PEPPERMINT. - The leaves and tops of Mentha piperita Smith (nat. 
ord. Labiates). Habitat. — Wild in Asia, Europe, and North America; culti- 
vated. 

Characters. — Leaves about 5 cm. long, petiolate, ovate-lanceolate, acute, 
sharply serrate, glandular, nearly smooth, the few hairs containing crystals of 
Menthol in one or more thin cells; branches quadrangular, often purplish; 
flowers in terminal, conical spikes, with a tubular, five-toothed, often purplish, 
calyx, a purplish four-lobed corolla, and four short stamens; odor aromatic; 
taste pungent and cooling. 

Composition. — Its chief constituents are — (1) A volatile oil, {q. v.); (2) 
A liquid, and (3) crystalline Menthol. 

Preparation. 
1. Spiritus Menthae Piperitae. — Spirit of Peppermint. Synonym. 
— Essence of Peppermint. Oil of Peppermint, 100; Peppermint, 10. 
By maceration and percolation with Alcohol to 1000. 
Dose, 5 to 15 m. 
Spirit of Pepper??iint is contained in Mistura Rhei et Sodae.] 

OLEUM MENTHA PIPERITA.— Oil of Peppermint. [A vola- 
tile oil distilled from Peppermint. 

Characters. — A colorless, or yellowish, or greenish-yellow liquid, be- 
coming darker and thicker by age and exposure to the air, having the charac- 
teristic, strong odor of Peppermint, and a strongly aromatic, pungent taste, 
followed by a sensation of cold when air is drawn into the mouth. Sp. gr., 
0.900 to 0.920. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Menthene, C 10 H 18 , the 
liquid Terpene obtained by distillation]. (2) Menthol, the solid Stearopten 
(?- v.). 

Oil of Pepper?nint is contained in Pilulae Rhei Compositae. 

Dose, 1 to 5 m. 

Preparations. 

1. Aqua Menthae Piperitae. — [Peppermint water. Oil of Pepper- 
mint, 2. By trituration with precipitated Calcium Phosphate, and 
filtration with distilled water to 1000. 

Dose, y 2 to 2 fl. oz. 

2. Spiritus Menthae Piperitae. See above. 

3. Trochisci Menthae Piperitae. — Troches of Peppermint. Oil 
of Peppermint, I ; sugar, 80 gm. ; Mucilage of Tragacanth to make 
100 troches. 

Dose, Freely.] 



SPEARMINT. 465 

Action and Therapeutics. 

The action of oil of peppermint is the same as that of volatile 
oils generally, but the cool, numb feeling often produced by vol- 
atile oils 'after the sensation has passed off is especially well marked 
with oil of peppermint; and this effect, which is due to the men- 
thol in it, has caused it to be applied externally in neuralgia. 
Like many other volatile oils it is a powerful antiseptic. 

Internally it is a powerful stomachic and carminative, is often 
used as such, and also as a flavoring agent. 

MENTHA VIRIDIS. 

[SPEARMINT. — The leaves and tops of Mentha viridis Linne (nat. 
ord. Labiates). Habitat. — Wild in Europe and North America ; cultivated. 

Characters. — Leaves about 5 cm. long, subsessile, lance-ovate, acute, 
serrate, glandular, nearly smooth; branches quadrangular, most light green; 
flowers in terminal, interrupted, narrow, acute spikes, with a tubular, sharply 
five-toothed calyx, a light purplish, four-lobed corolla, and four rather long 
stamens ; odor aromatic, taste pungent. 

Composition.— (1 ) A volatile oil (a. v.). (2) Resin. (3) Gum. 

Preparation. 

Spiritus Menthae Viridis. — Spirit of Spearmint. Synonym. — 
Essence of Spearmint. Oil of Spearmint, 100; Spearmint, 10. By 
maceration with Alcohol and filtration to 1 000.] 

Dose, 5 to 15 m. 

OLEUM MENTHA VIRIDIS.— [Oil of Spearmint. A volatile oil 
distilled from Spearmint. 

Characters. — A co'orless, yellowish, or greenish -yellow liquid, becom- 
ing darker and thicker by age and exposure to the air, having the character- 
istic, strong odor of Spearmint, and a hot, aromatic taste. Sp. gr., 0.930 to 
0.940. Sohibility. — Freely in Alcohol.] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Menlhene, the same ter- 
pine as in Peppermint (^) Car[v]o/, C 10 H u O, a stearopten isomeric with 
Thymol (a. v.) 

Dose, 1 to 5 m. 

Preparations. 

1. Aqua Menthae Viridis. — [Spearmint water. Oil of Spearmint, 
2. By trituration with precipitated Calcium Phosphate, addition of dis- 
tided water and filtration to 1 000. 

Dose, l / z to 2 fl. Oz. 

2. Spiritus Menthae Viridis. {See above).] 
40 



466 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Action and Therapeutics. 

These are the same as those of oil of peppermint, but oil of 
spearmint is not so agreeable. 

ANISUM. 

ANISE. — The [fruit of Pimpinella Anisum Linne (nat. ord. Umbelli- 
ferce). Habitat. — Western Asia, Egypt, Southeastern Europe; cultivated. 

Characters. — About 4 or 5 mm. long, ovate, compressed at the sides, 
grayish, finely hairy, and consisting of two mericarps, each with a flat face, 
and five light, brownish, filiform ridges, and about 15 thin oil tubes, which can 
be seen in a transverse section by the microscope. It has an agreeable, aro- 
matic odor, and a sweet, spicy taste.] Resembling Anise. — Conium, which has 
single mericarps, smooth, grooved upon the face, and having crenate ridges 
with wrinkles between them, and no oil-tubes. 

Composition. — The chief constituent is the official volatile oil (a. v). 

Dose, 10 to 30 gr. 

\Anise is contained in Tinctura Rhei Dulcis.] 

ILLICIUM. [Synonym. — Star Anise. The fruit of Illicium verum 
Hooker Alius (nat. ord. Magnoliaceoe). Habitat. — Northern Anam. 

Characters. — The fruit is pedunculate and consists of eight stellately 
arranged carpels, which are boat shaped, about 10 mm. long, rather woody, 
wrinkled, straight-beaked, brown, dehiscent on the upper suture, internally 
reddish-brown, glossy, and containing a single, flattish, oval, glossy, brownish- 
yellow seed ; odor anise-like ; taste of the carpels sweet and aromatic, and of 
the seeds oily. Resembling star-anise. — Illicium anisatum Linne {Illicium 
religiosum Siebold), the carpels of which are more woody, shrivelled, and 
have a thin, mostly curved beak, a faint, clove-like odor, and an unpleasant taste. 

Composition. — (1) a volatile oil. (2) Saponin, see Senega, p. 372. 
(3) Protocatechuic Acid. (4) Shikimic Acid, C 7 H ]0 O 5 . (5) Resin. 

Dose, 5 to 30 gr. 

Oleum Anisi may be distilled from this as well as from Pimpinella 
Anisum.] 

OLEUM ANISI.— [Oil of Anise. A volatile oil distilled from Anise. 

Characters. — A colorless or pale yellow, thin, and strongly refractive 
liquid, having the characteristic odor of Anise, and a sweetish, mildly aro- 
matic taste. That from the Pimpinella Anisum solidifies at 59 F. ; that from 
Illicium verum (Star-anise) at about 50 F. Sp gr., about 0.980 to 0.990. 
Solubility. — In an equal volume of Alcohol.] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) A terpene, 20 per cent. 
(2) A stearopten, anethol, C 10 lI r2 O, 80 per cent. 

Dose, 1 to 5 m. 



CORIANDER. 467 

[Preparations. 

1. Aqua Anisi. — Anise water. Oil of Anise, 2. By trituration 
with precipitated Calcium Phosphate, addition of water and filtration 

to IOOO. 

Dose, % to 1 fl. oz. 

2. Spiritus Anisi. — Spirit of Anise. Oil of Anise, 100 ; Alcohol, 
900. 

Dose, 1 to 2 fl. dr. 
Oil of Anise is contained in Tinctura Opii Camphorata, Spiritus Aurantii 
Compositus, Syrupus Sarsaparillae Compositus, and Trocbisci Glycyrrhizge et 
Opii.] 

Action and Therapeutics. 

The action of oil of anise is the same as that of aromatic oils 

generally. It is specially used to get rid of flatulence in children, 

and, on account of its slightly expectorant action, as a basis of 

cough mixtures. 

CORIANDRUM. 

CORIANDER. — The [fruit of Coriandrum sativum Linne (nat. ord. 
Umbel life res). Habitat. — Central Asia and Southern Europe; cultivated. 

Characters. — Globular ; about 4 mm. in diameter ; crowned with the 
calyx-teeth and stylopod; brownish-yellow, with slight, longitudinal ridges; 
the two mericarps cohering, enclosing a lenticular cavity, and each furnished 
on the face with two oil-tubes; odor and taste agreeably aromatic] 

Composition. — The chief constituent is the official volatile oil [q. v.). 

Dose, 10 to 30 gr. 

OLEUM CORIANDRI.— [Oil of Coriander. A volatile oil distilled 
from Coriander. 

Characters. — A colorless or slightly yellowish liquid, having the char- 
acteristic, aromatic odor of Coriander, and a warm, spicy taste. Sp. gr., 
0.870 to 0.885]. 

[Composition. — (1) Dextropinene. (2) Coriandrol, C 10 H 18 O. It is 
isomeric with Borneo Camphor [q. v.),~\ 

Dose, 2 to 5 m. 

Oil of Coriander is contained in Syrupus Senn?e, [Confectio Sennoe, and 
Spiritus Aurantii Compositus.] 

Action and Therapeutics. 
. Oil of coriander has the same action as other volatile oils. 
It is chiefly used as a stomachic and carminative, and to disguise 
the taste of rhubarb and senna. 



468 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

FCENICULUM. 

FENNEL. — The [fruit of Fceniculum capillaceum Gilibert (nat. ord. 
Umbelliferce). Habitat. — Levant and Southern Europe; cultivated. 

Characters. — Oblong, nearly cylindrical, slightly curved, from 4 to 8 
mm. long, brownish or greenish-brown; readily separable into the two promi- 
nent mericarps, each with five light brown, obtuse ribs, four oil-tubes on the 
back, and two or four oil-tubes upon the flat face; odor and taste aromatic, 
anise-like.] Resembling Fennel. — Conium fruit (Fennel is larger and has 
prominent vittce, [oil tubes]), Caraway and Anise fruits. 

Composition. — The chief constituent is a volatile oil probably identical 
with Oil of Anise. 

Fennel is contained in Infusum Senme Compositum. 

Dose, 15 to 30 gr.] 

[OLEUM FCENICULL— Oil of Fennel. A volatile oil distilled 
from Fennel. 

Characters. — A colorless or pale yellowish liquid, having the charac- 
teristic, aromatic odor of Fennel, and a sweetish, mild, and spicy taste. Sp. 
gr., not less than 0.960. Solubility. — In an equal volume of Alcohol. 

Oil of Fennel is contained in Spiritus Juniperi Compositus and Pulvis 
Glycyrrhizae Compositus. 

Dose, 1 to 5 m. 

Preparation. 

Aqua Fceniculi. — Fennel water. Oil of Fennel, 2. By tritura- 
tion with precipitated Calcium Phosphate, addition of distilled water ; 
and filtration to 1000.] 

Dose, X to 1 fl. oz. 

Action and Therapeutics. 

The same as those of oil of anise or of coriander. 
CARUM. 

CARAWAY. — The [fruit of Carum Carvi Linne (nat. ord. U?nbellifer<z). 
Habitat. — Central and Western Asia ; cultivated. 

Characters. — Oblong, laterally compressed, about 4 or 5 mm. long, 
usually separated into the two mericarps, which are curved, narrower at both 
ends, brown, with five yellowish, filiform ribs, and with six oil-tubes. Caraway 
has an agreeable odor, and a sweetish, spicy taste.] Resembling Caraway. — 
Conium and Fennel. Known by the small ridges and the spicy taste of Car- 
away. 

Composition. —The chief constituent is the volatile oil [q. v.). 

[Caraway is contained in Tinctura Cardamomi Composita.] 

Dose, 15 to 30 gr. 



PENNYROYAL. 469 

OLEUM CARL— [Oil of Caraway. A volatile oil distilled from 
Caraway. 

Characters. — A colorless, or pale yellow, thin liquid, having the charac- 
teristic, aromatic odor of Caraway, and a mild, spicy taste. Sp. gr. : 0.910 to 
0.920. Solubility. — In an equal volume of Alcohol.] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Car\yene, C 10 H 16 ,] a 
Terpene. (2) Car\y~\ol, C 10 H u O, isomeric with Thymol (q. v.). 

[ Oil of Caraway is contained in Spiritus Juniperi Compositus. ] 

Dose, 1 to 5 m. 

Action and Therapeutics. 
The action and uses of oleum cari are the same as those of 
other aromatic volatile oils. It is employed as a carminative, 
stomachic and flavoring agent 

SAMBUCUS. 

SAMBUCUS. Synonym. — Elder. [The flowers of Sambucus cana- 
densis Linne (nat. ord. Caprifoliaceic). Habitat. — North America, west to 
the Rocky Mountains, in damp places. 

Characters. — The flowers, when fresh, about 5 mm. broad, and after 
drying shrivelled; calyx superior, minutely five-toothed; corolla originally 
cream-colored, after drying pale brownish-yellow, wheel-shaped and five-lobed, 
with five stamens on the short tube; odor peculiar; taste sweetish, somewhat 
aromatic and bitterish.] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) A resin. (2) Valerianic 
Acid. (3) A minute amount of a volatile oil. 

Dose, y z to 1 dr. 

Action and Therapeutics. 
Elder flowers are used to flavor medicines, and are gently 
stimulant and diaphoretic. 

[HEDEOMA. 

HEDEOMA. Synonym. — Pennyroyal. The leaves and tops of 
Hedeoma pulegioides (Linne) Persoon (nat. ord. Labialce). Habitat. — North 
America, south to Georgia, and west to Dakota ; in sandy fields. 

Characters. — Leaves opposite, short -petioled, about 12 mm. long, 
oblong-ovate, obscurely serrate, glandular beneath ; branches roundish-quad- 
rangular, hairy; flowers in small, axillary cymules, with a tubular-ovoid 
bilabiate and five-toothed calyx, and a pale blue, spotted, bilabiate corolla, 
containing two sterile and two fertile, exserted stamens ; odor strong, mint- 
like ; taste warm and pungent. 

Composition. — The official volatile oil is the chief constituent. 



470 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

OLEUM HEDEOM^E.- Oil of Hedeoma. Synonym.— Oil of 
Pennyroyal. A volatile oil distilled from Hedeoma. 

Characters. —A pale yellowish, limpid liquid, having a characteristic, 
pungent, mint-like odor and taste. Sp. gr., 0.930 to 0.940. Solubility. — Freely 
in Alcohol. 

Dose, 1 to 5 m. 

Action and Uses. 

Pennyroyal is a gentle stimulant aromatic, and may be given 
in flatulent colic and sick stomach. 

ABSINTHIUM. 

ABSINTHIUM. Synonym. — Wormwood. The leaves and tops of 
Artemisia Absinthium Linne (nat. ord. Compositee). Habitat. — Northern 
Asia, Europe and Northern Africa ; naturalized in North America ; cultivated. 

Characters. — Leaves about 5 cm. long, hoary, silky-pubescent, petio- 
late, roundish-triangular in outline ; pinnately two- or three-cleft, with the 
segments lanceolate, the terminal one spatulate ; bracts three-cleft or entire ; 
heads numerous, about 3 mm. long, subglobose, with numerous small, pale 
yellow florets, all tubular and without pappus ; odor aromatic ; taste persist- 
ently bitter. 

Composition. — The principal constituents are — (1) A volatile oil, about 
1 per cent., mainly Absint/iol, C 10 H 16 O. (2) A bitter glucoside, Absinthin, 
C i5 H 2o°- (3) R esin. 

Dose, 8 to 40 gr. 

Uses. 

Wormwood is used in an infusion as an aromatic tonic in 
atorex of stomach or intestines.] 

Class III of Volatile Oils. 
Those used chiefly for their action on the heart and central nervous system. 

VALERIANA. 

VALERIAN. — The rhizome and roots of Valeriana officinalis [Linne 
(nat. ord. Valerianece). Habitat. — Europe and Northern Asia; naturalized 
in New England ; cultivated. 

Characters — Rhizome from 2 to 4 cm. long, and 1 to 2 cm. thick, 
upright, subglobular or obconical, truncate at both ends, brown or yellowish- 
brown, internally whitish or pale brownish, with a narrow circle of white 
wood under the thin bark Roots numerous, slender, brittle, brown, with a 
thick bark, and slender, ligneous cord. Odor peculiar, becoming stronger 
and unpleasant on keeping ; taste camphoraceous and somewhat bitter.] Re- 



VALERIAN. 471 

sembling Valerian. — Serpentaria, Arnica, Green Hellebore; but Valerian is 
known by its odor. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) A volatile oil, ^ to 2 
per cent., [consisting of the alcohol Borneol, C 10 H ]8 O, its ether, (C 10 H 17 ) 2 O, 
and its formic, acetic, and valerianic ethers.] (2) Valerianic Acid, C 5 H 10 O 2 . 
It is colorless, oily, with the odor of Valerian, and strongly acid, with a burning 
taste. Solubility. — In 30 parts of water ; readily in Alcohol and Ether. The 
amount of it in Valerian increases by keeping, while that of the oil decreases. 
It can be derived from Amylic Alcohol, C-H 12 (Valeryl Aldehyde). [(3) 
Formic, Acetic and Malic Acids. (4) Chatinine. (5) Tannin. (6) Resin. 

Dose, 10 to 30 gr. 

Preparations. 

1. Extractum Valerianae Fluidum. — [Fluid Extract of Valerian. 
By maceration and percolation with Alcohol and water, and evaporation. 
Dose, 10 to 30 m.] 

2. Tinctura Valerianae. — [Tincture of Valerian. Valerian, 200; 
by maceration and percolation with Alcohol and water to 1 000. 

Dose, y 2 to 2 fl. dr.] 

3. Tinctura Valerianae Ammoniata. — [Ammoniated Tincture 
of Valerian. Valerian, 200 ; by maceration and percolation with 
Aromatic Spirit of Ammonia to 1000. 

Dose, ]/ z to 2 fl. dr.] 

[AMMONII VALERIANAS.— Ammonium Valerianate. NH 4 C 5 
H 9 2 = 118.78. 

Source. — By saturating Valerianic Acid with Gaseous Ammonia, ob- 
tained from a mixture of Ammonic Chloride and Lime, and crystallization. 

Characters. — Colorless, or white, quadrangular plates, emitting the 
odor of Valerianic Acid, of a sharp and sweetish taste, and deliquescent in 
moist air. Solubility. — Very soluble in water and in Alcohol ; also soluble in 
Ether. 

Dose, 2 to 8 gr. 

FERRI VALERIANAS.— Ferric Valerianate. 

Source. — By precipitating a diluted solution of Ferric Sulphate, with a 
solution of Sodium Valerianate and washing the precipitate. 

Characters. — A dark, brick-red, amorphous powder of somewhat vary- 
ing chemical composition, having the odor of Valerianic Acid, and a mildly 
styptic taste ; permanent in dry air. Solubility. — Insoluble in cold water, but 
readily soluble in Alcohol. 

Dose, 1 to 3 gr.] 



4/2 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

ZINC I VALERIANAS.— Zinc Valerianate. Zn(C 5 H 9 2 ) 2 [+2H 2 
=302.56. 

Source. — From hot solutions of Zinc Sulphate and Sodium Valerianate, 
evaporate and Zinc Valerianate crystallizes out. 

Characters. — White, pearly scales, having the odor of Valerianic Acid, 
and a sweetish, astringent and metallic taste. On exposure to the air it 
slowly loses Valerianic Acid. Solubility. — In about 100 parts of water, and 
in 40 parts of Alcohol.] 

Incompatibles. — All acids, soluble carbonates, most metallic salts, 
vegetable astringents. 

Dose, y z to 3 gr. 

Action. 

Neither Valerianic acid, [ammonium valerianate, ferric vale- 
rianate] nor zinc valerianate are known to have any action. [?] 

Valerian itself acts in virtue of its volatile oil, which has the 
same properties as other volatile oils. Valerian is therefore an 
irritant when applied externally; internally it stimulates the 
mouth, stomach, and intestines; consequently it increases the 
appetite and the vascularity, the secretion, and the peristaltic 
action of the stomach and intestines ; and in its excretion, which 
takes place chiefly through the bronchial mucous membrane, 
kidneys, and genito-urinary mucous membrane, it excites the 
flow of fluids excreted through these parts. Acting reflexly from 
the stomach, it stimulates the circulation rather more powerfully 
than most volatile oils. 

Therapeutics. 

Preparations of valerian, or still better the oil (2 to 5 Tfl,) sus- 
pended in mucilage with cinnamon water, are often given as 
carminatives in cases of flatulence, and as reflex stimulants in 
fainting, palpitation, etc. Valerian and [the] valerianates some- 
times relieve neuralgia, and they are often prescribed for hysteria 
and other neurotic conditions, but frequently without benefit. 

[CYPRIPEDIUM. 

CYPRIPEDIUM. Synonym. — Ladies' Slipper. The rhizome and 
roots of Cypripedium pubescens Swartz, and of Cypripedium parviflorum 
Salisbury (nat. ord, Orchidecc). Habitat, — North America; in swampy places, 



ASAFETIDA. 473 

Characters. — Of horizontal growth, bent, 10 cm., or less, long; from 
3 to 5 mm. thick ; on the upper side beset with numerous circular, cup-shaped 
scars ; closely covered below with simple, wiry roots, varying from io to 15 
cm. in length; brittle, dark brown, or orange-brown; fracture short, white ; 
odor peculiar, heavy ; taste sweetish, bitter, and somewhat pungent. 

Composition. — It contains — (1) A volatile oil. (2) A volatile acid. 
(3) Two resins. (4) Tannin. 

Dose, 15 to 30 gr. 

Preparation. 

Extractum Cypripedii Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Cypripe- 
dium. By maceration and percolation with diluted Alcohol, and 
evaporation. 

Dose, 15 to 30 m. 

Action and Uses. 
Cypripedium is a gentle, nervous stimulant, resembling Vale- 
rian in its action. It has been used for nervous diseases, epilepsy, 
hypochondriasis and neuralgia.] 

ASAFCETIDA. 

ASAFETIDA. — A gum-resin obtained [from the root of Ferula feetida 
(Bunge) Regel (nat. ord. Umbelliferce). Habitat. — Persia, Turkestan and 
Afghanistan. 

Characters. — In irregular masses composed of whitish tears, which are 
imbedded in a yellowish-gray or brownish-gray, sticky mass. The tears, when 
hard, break with a conchoidal fracture, showing a milk-white color, which 
changes gradually, on exposure, to pink, and finally to brown. It has a 
persistent, alliaceous odor and a bitter, alliaceous, acrid taste. Solubility. — 
Partly in Ether and Alcohol] Resembling Asafetida. — Galbanum, Ammonia- 
cum, and Benzoin, distinguished by their peculiar odors, which differ markedly 
from that of Asafetida. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) A volatile oil, 3 to 9 per 
cent., the most important ingredient of which is the essential Oil of Garlic, 
Allyl Persulphide (C 3 H 5 ) 2 S. This gives Asafetida its very unpleasant odor. (2) 
Bassorin, II percent. (3) Ferulic Acid. (4) Gum, 19 per cent. 

Impurities. — Earthy matter [or Calcium Sulphate and Carbonate, and 
sand.] 

Preparations. 

1. [Emulsium Asafcetidae. — Emulsion of Asafetida. Synonyms. 
— Mistura Asafcetkke, Milk of Asafetida. Asafetida, 40; by rubbing 
in a warmed mortar, with water and straining to 1 000. 

Dose, y z to 1 fl. oz.] 



474 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

2. Pilulse Aloes et Asafcetjdae. See Aloes, p. 418. 

3. Pilulae Asafcetidae. — Pills of Asafetida. Asafetida, 20; 
Soap, 60 gm. ; to make 100 pills. Each pill contains 3 gr. 

Dose, 1 to 4 pills. 

4. Tinctura Asa'cetidae. — Tincture of Asafetida. Asafetida, 200. 
By maceration with Alcohol, and filtration to 1 000. 

Dose, y 2 to 1 fl. dr.] 

Action. 
Both internally and externally, asafetida, in virtue of its vola- 
tile oil, acts like volatile oils generally. Its action as a stimulant 
to the intestinal muscle is especially well marked, hence it is com- 
bined with aloes in Pilulae Aloes et Asafoetidae; and the enema, 
30 gr. in 4 fl. oz. of water, will relieve flatus. Owing to its con- 
taining allyl persulphide it is extremely nasty, and therefore it is 
not, like many volatile oils, available as a condiment. Its taste 
is credited with some mental effect in cases of hysteria. 

Therapeutics. 
Asafetida is not used externally. Internally it is prescribed 
to aid the action of other purgatives, and also to stimulate the 
muscular coat to expel flatus. It may be given by the mouth or 
as the enema. Partly on account of its reflex stimulating effect, 
but also on account of its very nasty taste, it is used to control 
hysterical, emotional, and other mental disturbances, but it often 
fails. For this purpose it may be combined with valerian. Cases 
of malingering may sometimes be cured by making the patient 
take, three times a day, an effervescing draught containing a few 
minims of each of the tinctures of valerian and asafetida. The 
effervescence makes the nasty taste of these medicines " repeat " 
in the mouth for some time after taking them. Asafetida oil 
would in the course of its excretion disinfect the urine and the 
expectoration, but its smell forbids its use for these purposes. 

AMMONIACUM. 

AMMONIAC. — A Gum Resin [obtained from Dorema Ammoniacum 
Don (nat. ord. Umbellifcrcc. Habitat. — Eastern Persia and Turkestan. 

Characters. — In roundish tears, from 2 to 6 mm. or more in diameter; 



MYRRH. 475 

externally pale yellowish-brown, internally milk-white, brittle when cold, and 
breaking with a flat, conchoidal, and waxy fracture ; or the tears are super- 
ficially united into irregular masses without any intervening, dark-colored 
substance. It has a peculiar odor, and a bitter, acrid and nauseous taste.] 
Resembling Ammoniacum. — Asafcetida, Galbanum, Benzoin, known by their 
odor. 

Composition. — The chief ingredients are — (i) Volatile oil, i^ to 4 per 
cent. (2) Resin, 70 per cent (3) Gum, 18 to 28 per cent. 

Dose, 5 to 30 gr. 

Preparations, 

i. Emplastrum Ammoniaci cum Hydrargyro. — \_See Mercury, 
p. 187. 

2. Emulsum Ammoniaci. — Emulsion of Ammoniac. Ammo- 
niac, 40 ; water added gradually to 1000. It forms a milk-like emulsion. 

Dose, y^ to 1 fl. oz.] 

Action and Therapeutics. 

The action of ammoniacum is precisely the same as that of 
volatile oils generally. It is employed externally to aid, by its 
mildly irritating effects, the absorption of chronic inflammatory 
products, and internally in chronic bronchitis with offensive 
expectoration for the sake of the remote disinfectant expectorant 
effect that it has, in the course of its excretion through the 
bronchial mucous membrane. 

MYRRHA. 

MYRRH. — A gum-resin [obtained from Commiphora Myrrha (Nees) 
Engler (nat. ord. Burseracece). Habitat. — Eastern Africa and Southwestern 
Arabia. 

Characters. — In roundish or irregular tears or masses, brownish-yellow 
or reddish-brown; fracture waxy, somewhat splintery, translucent on the 
edges, sometimes marked with whitish veins; odor balsamic; taste aromatic, 
bitter and acrid.] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — '1) Myrrhin, [C 48 H 32 O ]0 ,] a 
resin, 25 to 40 per cen<\ (2) Myrrhol, C 10 H u O, a volatile oil, 2 [to 4] per 
cent. (3) Gum, 40 to 60 per cent. (4) A bitter principle. 

Impurities. — Many varieties of gum and gum-resins. 

Myrrh is contained in Mistura Ferri Composita and Pilulse Rhei Com- 
posite. 

Dose, 5 to 30 gr. 



476 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Preparations. 

1. Tinctura Myrrhae. — [Tincture of Myrrh. Myrrh, 200; by 
maceration with Alcohol and filtration to 1000. 

Dose, ]^ to 1 fl. dr. 

2. Tinctura Aloes et Myrrhae. See Aloes, p. 419. 

3. Pilulae Aloes et Myrrhae. See Aloes, p. 419.] 

Action. 

External. — Both externally and internally, myrrh has the 
same action as other substances containing a volatile oil. It is a 
mild disinfectant, and a stimulant to sores and ulcers. 

Internal.— It has the same effects in the mouth. It is a 
stomachic carminative, exciting the appetite,' the flow of 
gastric juice, and the vascularity and peristalsis of the stomach 
and intestines. The number of leucocytes in the blood is said to 
be increased by the administration of myrrh. It is excreted by 
mucous membranes, especially the genito-urinary and the bron- 
chial, and it stimulates and disinfects their secretions in its pass- 
age through them. Thus it becomes an expectorant, a uterine 
stimulant, and an emmenagogue. 

Therapeutics. 

External. — Occasionally myrrh has been employed as a 
stimulant to sores and ulcers. 

Internal. — It is, in the form of y 2 fl^ of the tincture diffused 
through 1 fl? of water, used as a mouth wash and gargle for sore 
spongy gums, relaxed throat, and other similar conditions, for 
which it is often combined with borax, as in the following 
formula: — Myrrh, 1 ; eau de Cologne, 16 ; borax, 1 ; water, 3 ; 
syrup, 3. It is frequently given with purgatives for the sake of 
its carminative and stomachic properties. It is also commonly 
combined with iron when this drug is given for anaemia, but the 
reason for this is not clear. It is prescribed for amenorrhcea, 
and has been given for cystitis, and as a disinfectant expectorant 
for chronic bronchitis. 



BALSAM OF PERU. 477 

Class IV of Volatile Oils. 
Those used chiefly for their action on the bronchial mucous membrane. 

BALSAMUM PERUVIANUM. 

BALSAM OF PERU.— A balsam [obtained from Toluifera Pereira 
(Royle) Baillon (nat. ord. Leguminoste). Habitat. — Central America. 

Characters. —A liquid having a syrupy consistence, free from stringiness 
or stickiness, of a brownish-black color in bulk, reddish brown and transparent 
in thin layers, of an agreeable vanilla-like, somewhat smoky odor, and a bitter 
taste, leaving a persistent after-taste. On exposure to air it does not become 
hard. Sp. gr. , 1.135 to I.150. Solubility. — Miscible, in all proportions, with 
absolute Alcohol, Chloroform, or Glacial Acetic Acid; only partially soluble 
in Ether or Benzin. It is completely soluble in 5 parts of Alcohol.] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) A volatile oil. This is 
present in large quantities; it consists of Cinna7?i\ein (Benzylic Cinnamate), 
C 9 H 7 (C 7 H 7 )0 2 , about 60 per cent. (2) Cinnamic Acid, C 9 H 8 2 . (3) 
Benzylic Benzoate, C 7 H 5 (C 7 H 7 )0 2 . (4) Resin, about 32 per cent., which 
on dry distillation yields Benzoic Acid, Styrol C 8 H 8 , and Toluol, C 7 H 8 . (5) 
Small quantities of Benzyl Alcohol, C 7 H 8 0. (6) Stilbene, C U H 12 . 

Impurities. — Fixed oils, resins, oleoresins and alcohol.] 

Dose, 10 to 30 m. 

Action and Therapeutics. 

External. — Like most substances containing a volatile oil, 
balsam of Peru is a disinfectant, and also a stimulant when rubbed 
into the skin or applied to raw surfaces. Formerly it was much 
used for these purposes, chiefly as an application to indolent sores 
and chronic eczema. A mixture of balsam of Peru 1 part, lard 7 
parts, is very useful for sore nipples and cracked lips. Now it is 
not often employed externally except as antiparasitic for pediculi, 
scabies and ringworm. An ointment consisting of balsam of 
Peru, 20; olive oil, 50; petrol[at]um, 100; may be used. For 
scabies it should be applied in the way already described for 
sulphur ointment; It is a more agreeable preparation. 

Internal. — Like most volatile oils it is carminative and stom- 
achic, and after absorption is excreted by, and stimulates and dis- 
infects the mucous membranes. For this reason it is used as an 
expectorant in chronic bronchitis. It is also excreted by the 
skin and the kidneys. 



'478 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

BALSAMUM TOLUTANUM. 

BALSAM OF TOLU.— A balsam [obtained from Toluifera Balsa- 
mum Linne (nat. ord. Leguminosce). Habitat. — Venezuela and New Granada. 

Characters. — A yellowish-brown, semi-fluid or nearly solid mass, be- 
coming more brittle when exposed to cold, transparent in thin layers, having 
an agreeable odor recalling that of Vanilla, but distinct from it, and a mild, 
aromatic taste. Solubility. — Readily and completely soluble in Alcohol. 
Also completely soluble in Chloroform, and in solutions of the fixed alkalies ; 
almost completely soluble in Ether, but nearly insoluble in water, Benzin, or 
Carbon Disulphide.] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (i) Tolene C 10 H 16 , [i per 
cent., a colorless, thin aromatic oil. (2) Benzylic Benzoate, C ? H 5 (C ? H 7 )0 2 , 
a colorless, aromatic oil. (3) Benzylic Cinnamate, C 9 H 7 (C 7 H t )0 2 .] (4) Ben- 
zoic Acid. (5) Cinnamic Acid, C 9 H 8 2 . (6) Resins. 

Impurities. — Turpentine, Storax, Sweet Gum, and Resins. 

Balsam of Tola is contained in Tinctura Benzoini Composita. 

Dose, 10 to 30 gr.] 

Preparations. 

1. Syrupus Tolutanus. — [Syrup of Tolu. Balsam of Tolu, 10; 
Alcohol, 50; Precipitated Calcium Phosphate, 50; Sugar, 850; water 
to 1 000. By solution and nitration. 

Dose, y z to 1 fl. oz. 

2. Tinctura Tolutana. — Tincture of Tolu. Balsam of Tolu, 
100. By maceration with Alcohol and filtration to 1 000. 

Dose, 1 to 2 fl. dr.] 

Action and Therapeutics. 
Although it has an action in all respects similar to that of 
balsam of Peru, it is only used as an expectorant in cough mix- 
tures. 

STYRAX. 

STORAX. — [A balsam prepared from the inner bark of Liquidambar 
orientalis Miller (nat. ord. Hamamelacecc). Habitat. — Asia Minor. 

Characters. — A semi-liquid, gray, sticky, opaque mass, depositing on 
standing a heavier, dark brown stratum; transparent in thin layers, and having 
an agreeable odor and a balsamic taste. Solubility. — Insoluble in water, 
but completely soluble in an equal weight of warm Alcohol. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Styrol, C 8 H 8 , or Cinna- 
mene, a volatile oil. (2) Cinnamic Acid, C 9 H 8 2 , colorless, odorless, crystalline; 
can be oxidized to Benzoic Acid, is also found in Cinnamon, and Balsams of 
Tolu and Peru. (3) Styracin, or Cinnamyl Cinnamate, C 9 H 7 (C 9 H 9 )0 2 . (4) 



OIL OF JUNIPER. 479 

Phenylpropyl Cinnamate, C 9 H 7 (C 9 H ]7 )0 2 . (5) Ethyl Cinnamate, C 9 H,j(C 2 H 5 ) 
2 . (6) Storesin, C 36 H 58 3 , in considerable quantity.] 

Dose, 5 to 20 gr. 

Storax is contained in Tinctura Benzoini Composita. 

Action and Therapeutics. 

Storax has the same action as balsams of Tolu and Peru and 
Benzoin, and may be employed for the same purposes. It is not 
often given internally except in the compound tincture of ben- 
zoin. Mixed with an equal part of olive oil it may be used to 
kill the [Sarcoptes scabiei\ and pediculi. 

Class V. of Volatile Oils. 
Those used chiefly for their action on the kidneys and genito-urinary tract. 

OLEUM JUNIPERI. 

OLEUM JUNIPERI.— Oil of Juniper. A volatile oil distilled [from 
the fruit oi Juniper us communis Linne (nat. ord. Coniferce). Habitat. — North 
America throughout Canada, the Northern United States, and in the Rocky 
Mountains south to New Mexico. 

Characters. — A colorless or faintly greenish-yellow liquid, becoming 
darker and thicker by age and exposure to air, having the characteristic odor 
of Juniper, and a warm, aromatic, somewhat terebinthinate and bitterish taste. 
Sp. gr., 0.850 to 0.890. Solubility. — In about 4 times its volume of Alcohol.] 

Composition. — Oil of Juniper is a terpene isomeric with Oil of Turpen- 
tine, C 10 H 16 . 

Dose, 2 to 10 m. 

Preparations. 

1. Spiritus Juniperi. — [Spirit of Juniper. Oil of Juniper, 50; 
Alcohol, 950. 

Dose, 30 to 60 m. 

2. Spiritus Juniperi Compositus. Compound Spirit of Juni- 
per. Oil of Juniper, 8 ; Oil of Caraway, I ; Oil of Fennel, I ; Alco- 
hol, 1400 ; Water to 2000. 

Dose, 1 to 4 fl. dr.] 

Action. 

Oil of juniper has much the same action as oil of turpentine; 
but it is not so liable to upset the digestion ; and although it is a 
powerful renal stimulant and diuretic, it does not easily cause 
hematuria and albuminuria. 



480 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Therapeutics. 
It is not used externally. Occasionally it is given as a pleas- 
ant carminative and stomachic, but its main use is as a diuretic in 
heart disease, hepatic ascites, and chronic Bright's disease. It 
certainly markedly increases the quantity of the urine, which it 
causes to smell like violets. As a constituent of Hollands and 
gin, these are good forms of alcohol for persons suffering from 

the above diseases. 

BUCHU. 

BUCHU. Synonym. — Bucco. The leaves of Barosma betulina [(Thun- 
berg) Bartling et Wendland, and Barosma crenulata (Linne) Hooker (nat. 
ord. RutacecE). Habitat. — Southern Africa. 

Characters. — About 15 mm. long, roundish-obovate, with a rather 
wedge-shaped base, or varying between oval and obovate, obtuse, crenate or 
serrate, with a gland at the base of each tooth, dull yellowish-green, thickish, 
pellucid-punctate; odor and taste strongly aromatic, somewhat mint-like, pun- 
gent and bitterish.] Resembling Buchn. — Senna and Uva Ursi, which have 
entire leaves. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) A volatile oil. [(2) A 
stearopten (diosphenol, C 10 H 16 O 2 )] in solution in a liquid Hydrocarbon. 
The stearopten is deposited on exposure to air. (3) A [glucoside Barosmin, 
soluble in alcohol (scarcely so, if cold) and in ether, volatile oils, dilute acids 
and alkalies.] (4) Mucilage. 

Dose, 15 to 30 gr. 

Preparation. 

[Extractum Buchu Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Buchu. By 
maceration and percolation with Alcohol, and evaporation. 
Dose, 15 to 30 m.] 

Action and Therapeutics. 
A medicinal dose of buchu causes a slight feeling of warmth 
in the stomach, and a large one gives rise to vomiting. The 
volatile oil diffuses into the blood and is excreted by the bron- 
chial mucous membrane, which it stimulates, and buchu is there- 
fore occasionally given as an expectorant. Most of the oil is 
excreted by the kidney, which is also stimulated, and thus buchu 
is a mild diuretic. In the process of excretion it gives a 
peculiar odor to the urine, and acts as an astringent and disin- 
fectant to the urinary tract, especially the bladder. It has 



COPAIBA. 48 1 

consequently been administered for cystitis, irritable bladder, 
pyelitis, gonorrhoea, etc. Large doses continued for a long time 
are said to damage the kidney. The fluid extract does not mix 
well with water on account of the oil in it. The action of the 
buchu is much the same as that of pareira, but it is pleasanter to 
take, and is a good vehicle for diuretics. 

COPAIBA. 

COPAIBA. Synonym. — Balsam of Copaiba. The oleoresin of \Co- 
paiba Langsdorjfii (Desfontaines) O. Kuntze, and of other species of Copaiba 
(nat. ord. Leguminosce). Habitat. — Brazil, Venezuela and New Grenada. 

Characters. — A transparent or translucent, more or less viscid liquid, of 
a pale yellow to brownish-yellow color, having a peculiar, aromatic odor, and 
a bitter acrid taste. Sp. gr. , 0.940 to 0.990. Solubility. — Insoluble in water • 
readily soluble in absolute Alcohol, Ether, Chloroform, Carbon Disulphide, 
Benzin, and fixed and volatile oils.] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) The official volatile oil, 
[see below). (2) The Resin, which exists dissolved in the oil. It is a brown 
mass consisting of two Resins : (a) Copaivic Acid, C 20 H 30 O 22 , the chief con- 
stituent, a crystalline Resin, with a faint odor, a bitter taste, insoluble in water, 
easily soluble in absolute Alcohol and Ammonia; (b) a non-crystallizable 
viscid Resin, 1*4 per cent. 

Impurities. — Turpentine, detected by the smell on heating. Fixed 
oils ; these leave a greasy ring round the resinous stain when heated on 
paper. Gurjun Balsam, which coagulates at 270 F. ; Copaiba does not. 

Dose, % to 1 fl dr. 

Preparation. 

[Massa Copaibse. — Mass of Copaiba. Synonym* — Solidified 
Copaiba. Copaiba, 94; Magnesia, 6. By trituration with water, and 
heating. 

Dose, # to 1 dr.] 

OLEUM COPAIBA.— [Oil of Copaiba.] 

Source. — A volatile oil distilled from Copaiba. 

Characters. — [A colorless or pale yellowish liquid, having the character- 
istic odor of Copaiba, and an aromatic, bitterish, and pungent taste. It is 
isomeric with Turpentine, C 10 H 16 . Sp. gr. 0.890 to 0.910. Solubility. — In 
about 10 times its volume of Alcohol.] 

Dose, 5 to 15 m. suspended in Mucilage of Acacia (ij^ fl. oz. for every 
fl. oz. of Oil of Copaiba) or yolk of egg. Cinnamon or Peppermint Water, 
with Tincture of Orange or Ginger, covers the taste. It may be dissolved in 
4* 



482 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Alcohol and in water with the aid of Liquor Potassae, with which it forms a 
soap, or it may be given in capsules. 

[RESINA COPAIBA.— Resin of Copaiba. Residue left after dis- 
tilling off the volatile oil from Copaiba. 

Characters. — A yellowish or brownish-yellow, brittle resin, having a 
slight odor and taste of Copaiba. Solubility. — In Alcohol, Ether, Chloroform, 
Carbon Disulphide, Benzol, or Amylic Alcohol. 
Dose, 5 to 15 gr.] 

Action. 

External. — Copaiba is a stimulant to the skin. 

Internal. — Gastro-intestinal tract. — It acts like other volatile 
oils. Small doses produce a feeling of warmth in the epigastrium ; 
but with large doses its irritant effect leads to vomiting and diar- 
rhoea. Its taste is nasty, and the eructations it may cause are very 
disagreeable. 

Mucous membranes. — Here also it acts like other volatile oils. 
It is quickly absorbed, and then is excreted by all the mucous 
membranes, which it stimulates in its passage through them, in- 
creasing their vascularity and the amount of their secretion, which, 
if foul, is disinfected. Because of these actions it is a disinfectant 
expectorant, and a stimulating disinfectant to the whole of 
the genito-urinary tract. It imparts a powerful odor to the 
breath and mucous secretions. It is also excreted by the skin, and 
its irritant effect here is seen in the erythematous rash it often 
produces. 

Kidneys. — Copaiba has a more marked action on the kidneys 
than most substances containing volatile oils, and this is in grtat 
part due to the resin, which is particularly stimulating to the renal 
organs, and copaiba is therefore diuretic. Large doses of it 
greatly irritate the kidney, as is shown by pain in the loins and 
blood and albumin in the urine. The resin itself is excreted in 
the urine, and can be [precipitated] from it by nitric acid ; but 
this precipitate is known not to be albumin by the fact that it is 
evenly distributed through the fluid and is dissolved by heat. Jf 
the renal congestion is severe, the urine may be very scanty. 



OIL OF THYME. 483 

Therapeutics. 

Genitourinary tract. — Copaiba, or more usually its oil, is 
largely used to stimulate and disinfect this part of the body in 
cases of pyelitis, vaginitis, and gonorrhoea It is often prescribed 
for this last disease, and is best given when the acute symptoms 
have subsided, otherwise it may increase them, 

Kidneys. — The resin which remains after distillation of the 
oil from copaiba is an admirable diuretic for hepatic and cardiac 
dropsy, but because of its liability to irritate the kidneys should 
not be given in Bright's disease. After a time patients seem to 
become accustomed to it, for the diuresis is not so marked as at 
first. It is nasty and difficult to make palatable. Fifteen grains 
of the resin with 20 minims of alcohol, 15 grains of tragacanth 
to suspend it, and a fluid drachm of syrup of ginger in an ounce 
of water may be given for a dose. 

Bronchial mucous membrane. — Copaiba is occasionally used 
as a disinfectant expectorant when the secretion is very foul — as, 
for example, when the bronchial tubes are dilated. 

Skin. — Copaiba has been given in chronic skin diseases, as 
psoriasis, for the cutaneous stimulation caused by it, but it is now 
quite discarded. 

The reasons why it is rarely used except in gonorrhoea, for 
which it would not be employed if it had not such a strongly 
marked beneficial action, are that the smell of the breath of 
those taking it is very disagreeable, it is very nasty to the taste, and 
often causes indigestion. 

[OLEUM THYMI. 

OIL OF THYME.— A volatile oil distilled from the leaves and 
flowering tops of Thymus vulgaris Linne (nat. ord. Labiates). Habitat. — 
Southern France. 

Characters. — A yellowish or yellowish-red liquid, having a strong odor 
of Thyme, and an aromatic, pungent, afterwards cooling taste. It becomes 
darker and thicker by age and exposure to the air. Sp. gr., 0.900 to 0.930. 

Solubility. — In half its volume of Alcohol, forming a clear solution which 
is neutral or only very slightly acid to litmus paper. Also soluble in all pro- 
portions, in Carbon Disulphide, and in Glacial Acetic Acid. 



484 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Composition. — Its chief constituents are two Hydrocarbons — (1) 
Cymene, C 10 H U . (2) Ihymene, C 10 H 16 . 
Dose, 1 to 5 m. 

Uses. 

The chief use of oil of thyme is as a source of thymol. It 
has been employed in the treatment of bronchitis, gonorrhoea, 
gleet, leucorrhoea, and vesical catarrh, having apparently much 
the same action as copaiba.] 

CUBEBA. 

CUBEB. — The unripe fruit of Piper Ctibeba [Linne Alius (nat. ord. 
Piperacecc). Habitat — Java; cultivated. 

Characters. — Globular, about 4 or 5 mm. in diameter, contracted at the 
base into a rounded stipe about 6 or 8 mm. long, reticulately wrinkled, black- 
ish gray, internally whitish and hollow ; odor strong, spicy ; taste aromatic and 
pungent.] Resembling Cubeb. — Pepper and Pimenta; neither has a stalk. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) The official volatile oil, 
[5 to] 15 per cent. (2) The official Oleoresin, 6 per cent, which contains 
much Cubebic Acid and Cubebin. (3) Cubebin, a white, crystalline, odorless 
substance. (4) Cubebic Acid. 

Dose, 30 to 60 gr. 

Preparations. 

[1. Extractum Cubebae Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Cubeb. 
By maceration and percolation with Alcohol, and evaporation. 
Dose, yi to 1 fl. dr. 

2. Oleoresina Cubebae. — Oleoresin of Cubeb. 

Source. — By percolation with Ether; distill off, and evaporate the 
Ether. 

Dose, 5 to 30 m. 

The Oleoresin is used to make Trochisci Cubebse. 

3. Tinctura Cubebae. — Tincture of Cubeb. Cubeb, 200. By 
maceration and percolation with Alcohol to 1 000. 

Dose, y z to 3 fl. dr. 

4. Trochisci Cubebae. — Troches of Cubeb. Oleoresin of Cubeb, 
4 ; Oil of Sassafras, I ; Extract of Glycyrrhiza, 25 ; Acacia, 1 2 ; Syrup 
of Tolu, a sufficient quantity, to make 100 troches. Each troche 
contains y z m. of the Oleoresin.] 

Dose, 1 to 6 troches. 

OLEUM CUBEBA.— Oil of Cubeb. A volatile oil distilled from 
Cubeb. 



CUBEB. 485 

Characters. — A colorless, [pale greenish, or yellowish liquid, having 
the characteristic odor of Cubeb, and a warm, camphoraceous, aromatic taste. 
Sp. gr., about 0.920. Solubility. — Soluble in an equal volume of Alcohol.] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Cubeb Camphor, [C 15 H 26 0,] 
a stearopten. (2) Two oils, C 15 H 24 . (3) A small amount of a Terpene. 

Dose, 5 to 20 m. suspended in Mucilage. 

Action. 

External. — Like other substances containing a volatile oil, 
cubeb is rubefacient when rubbed into the skin. 

Internal. — Small doses are stomachic and carminative, and 
improve digestion, but moderate doses are very liable to cause 
dyspepsia. Cubeb enters the blood, and, like many volatile oils, 
slightly stimulates the heart, and also excites the organs through 
which it is excreted. Occasionally, therefore, it causes an erythe- 
matous erupion on the skin; it increases and disinfects the 
bronchial secretion, and is consequently an expectorant ; but its 
main action is on the genito-urinary passages, the mucous 
membrane of which is powerfully stimulated, and the secretions 
of which are disinfected. The kidneys are also irritated, hence 
cubeb is a diuretic. It appears in the urine in a form (probably 
as a salt of cubebic acid) which may be precipitated by nitric 
acid. 

Therapeutics. 

It is sometimes employed as [troches,] or as a powder, or as the 
smoke of cubeb cigarettes, to stimulate the mucous membrane in 
cases of slight bronchitis, chronic sore throat, or follicular pharyn- 
gitis. Chronic nasal catarrh and hay-fever have been treated by 
insufflations of the powder. Asthma is sometimes relieved by the 
cigarettes. Many popular bronchial troches contain cubeb ; in 
them it exercises its expectorant action. Cubeb is rarely used as 
a stomachic or cardiac stimulant, because it is so liable to upset 
digestion ; but as it is less likely to do so than copaiba, is a little 
pleasanter to take, and is almost as powerful a stimulant to the 
gehito-urinary mucous membrane ; it is largely used in gleet, 
gonorrhoea, and chronic cystitis. 



486 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

OLEUM SANTALI. 

OIL OF SANTAL. Synonym.— [Oil of Sandalwood. A volatile oil 
distilled from the wood of Santalum album Linne (nat. ord. Santalacecc) . 
Habitat. — Southern India. 

Characters. — A pale yellowish or yellow, somewhat thickish liquid, 
having a peculiar, strongly aromatic odor, and a pungent, spicy taste. Sp. gr., 
0.970 to 0.978. It deviates polarized light to the left: distinction from Austra- 
lian (sp. gr., 0.953) and West Indian (sp. gr., 0.965) Sandal Wood Oil, 
which deviate polarized light to the right. Solubility. — Readily in Alcohol. 

Composition. — (1) Santalol, C 15 H 26 0. (2) Santalal, C 15 H 24 0.] 

Dose, 2 to 10 m. 

Action and Therapeutics. 
The action of oil of santal is the same as that of volatile 
oils in general, but, like that of the oils of copaiba and cubeb, 
it is especially manifested in the genito-urinary mucous 
membranes, which are stimulated and disinfected. The 
drug is used in gonorrhoea and gleet, [it is best administered in 
capsules, or in an emulsion ;] it is pleasanter than copaiba, but 
more expensive. It appears in the urine half an hour after 
administration. Some of it is excreted by the bronchial mucous 
membrane ; it is, therefore, a stimulating disinfectant expecto- 
rant. Two or three drops on sugar will frequently relieve the 
hacking cough so often met with when but little sputum is ex- 
pectorated. 

MATICO. 

MATICO. — The leaves of Piper angustifolium [Ruiz et Pavon (nat. 
ord. Piperacece). Habitat. — Tropical America. 

Characters. — From 10 to 15 cm. long, short-petiolate, oblong-lanceolate, 
apex pointed, base unequally heart-shaped, margin very finely crenulate, tessel- 
lated above, reticulate beneath, the meshes small, and the vines densely brown- 
ish-hairy; aromatic, spicy and bitterish.] Resembling Matico leaves. — Digitalis 
leaves (see p. 350). 

Composition — The chief constituents are — (1) Volatile oil, 2^ per cent. 
(2) A [pungent resin. (3) A bitter principle.] (4) Artanthic Acid. (5) 
Tannin. 

Dose, %. to 2 dr. 

[ Preparations. 

I. Extractum Matico Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Matico. By 
maceration and percolation with Alcohol and water, and evaporation. 
Dose, 



SAV1NE. 487 

2. Tinctura Matico. — Tincture of Matico. Matico 100, by 
maceration and percolation with diluted Alcohol to 1000. 
Dose, ]/ z to 1 fl. oz.] 

Action. 

The volatile oil of matico probably has much the same action 

as that of cubeb, influencing chiefly the genito-urinary passages. 

It has been given for the same cases, but is rarely used. The 

leaves are sometimes placed upon a bleeding surface. Their 

numerous hairs promote the clotting of the blood, and thus they 

are haemostatic. 

Class VI of Volatile Oils. 

Those used chiefly for their action on the female genital organs. 
SABINA. 

SAVIN [E. — The tops of Juniperus Sabina Linne (nat. ord. Conifer a). 
Habitat. — Siberia, Europe, Canada and Northern United States. 

Character). — Short, thin, subquadrangular branchlets; leaves rather 
dark green, in four rows, opposite, scale-like, ovate-lanceolate, more or less 
acute, appressed, imbricated, on the back with a shallow groove containing an 
oblong or roundish gland ; odor peculiar, terebinthinate ; taste nauseous, resin- 
ous and bitter.] 

Composition. — The chief constituent is the official volatile oil [see below), 
about 2 per cent. 

Dose, 5 to 15 gr. 

Preparation. 

[Extractum Sabinae Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Savine. By 
maceration and percolation with Alcohol and evaporation. 
Dose, 5 to 15 m.] 

OLEUM SABINAE.— [Oil of Savine. 

Source. — A volatile oil distilled from Savine. 

Characters. — A colorless or yellowish liquid, having a peculiar terebin- 
thinate odor, and a pungent, bitterish and camphoraceous taste. It becomes 
darker and thicker by age and exposure to the air. Sp. gr., 0.910 to 0.940. 
Solitbility. — Soluble in equal volume of Alcohol.] 

Composition. — It contains several terpenes. 

Dose, 1 to 5 m. 

Action. 

Oil of savine has the same actions as oil of turpentine, but 
they are more marked. Thus externally it causes great redness, 



4(88 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

pain, vesication, and even pustulation. Internally it may pro- 
duce severe gastro-intestinal irritation, with vomiting, abdominal 
pain and purging. In its excretion through the kidneys and the 
mucous membranes of the genito-urinary tract it severely irritates 
them ; thus haematuria, scanty urine and pain on micturition may 
follow its use. The point in which the action of oil of savine 
differs from that of the oil of turpentine is that it powerfully irri- 
tates the ovaries and uterus, causing hyperaemia of them and 
accelerating menstruation. It also induces contractions of the 
pregnant uterus, and therefore it is an ecbolic. 

Therapeutics. 

The [cerate made from the fluid extract, 25 per cent, in resin 
cerate], has been used as a powerful irritant and counter-irritant, 
and internally savine may be given as an emmenagogue; but, on 
the whole, its use is to be discouraged, as it is so liable to cause 
serious gastro-enteritis. It has often been administered as an 
ecbolic with criminal intent. 

[TANACETUM. 

TANSY. — The leaves and tops of Tanacetum vulgare Linne (nat. ord. 
Compositcc). Habitat. — Asia and Europe; naturalized in North America; 
cultivated. 

Characters. — Leaves about 15 cm. long; bipinnatifid, the segments 
oblong, obtuse, serrate or incised, smooth, dark green and glandular; flower- 
heads corymbose, with an imbricated involucre, a convex, naked receptacle, 
and numerous yellow, tubular florets ; odor strongly aromatic ; taste pungent 
and bitter. 

Composition. — (1) Tanacetin, C u H 16 4 , a bitter principle. (2) Tannin. 
(3) Volatile oil, ^ per cent. 

Dose, ^ to 1 dr. 

Uses. 

Tansy possesses the properties of an aromatic bitter, and is an 
irritant narcotic. It has been used as an abortifacient, but is 
dangerous in large doses, several fatal cases having been recorded.] 



CALUMBA. % 489 

GROUP VII. 

Vegetable Bitters. 

All these substances contain a bitter principle, which stimulates the functions 
of the stomach. 

Calumba, [Calamus,] Gentian, Quassia, Cascarilla, Chirata, Serpen- 

taria, [Anthemis, Matricaria,] Cimicifuga, Dandelion, 

Orange Peel, [Oil of Orange Flowers]. 

CALUMBA. 

CALUMBA. [Synonym. — Columbo. The root of Jateorhiza palmata 
(Lamarck) Miers (nat. ord. Menispermacece). Habitat. — Eastern Africa, cul- 
tivated in some East Indian Islands. 

Characters. — In nearly circular disks, 3 to 6 cm. in diameter, externally 
greenish-brown and wrinkled, internally yellowish or grayish-yellow, depressed 
in the centre, with a few interrupted circles of projecting wood-bundles, dis- 
tinctly radiate in the outer portion ; fracture short, mealy ; odor slight ; taste 
mucilaginous, slightly aromatic, very bitter.] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Calumbin, C 21 H 22 7 , a 
neutral bitter principle crystallizing in white needles. (2) Berberine, an alka- 
loid '{see p. 403), giving the yellow color. (3) Calumbic acid, C 21 H 22 6 . (4) 
Starch, ^ per cent. No Tannin is present, so Calumba can be prescribed with 
salts of iron. 

Dose, 5 to 30 gr. 

Preparations. 

1. Extractum Calumbae [Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Calumba. 
By maceration and percolation in Alcohol and water and evaporation.] 

Dose, 5 to 30 m. 

2. Tinctura Calumbae. — [Tincture of Calumba. Calumba, 100, 
by maceration and percolation in Alcohol and water to 1000]. 

Dose 1 to 4 fl. dr. 

Action. 

External. — Calumba is a mild antiseptic and disinfectant. 
Internal. — Mouth — Calumba is a typical bitter ; the appe- 
tite is sharpened because the gustatory nerves are stimulated ; 
this reflexly leads to dilatation of the gastric vessels and to an 
increase in the gastric and salivary secretions. 

, Stomach. — The effects on the gastric mucous membrane which 
were brought about reflexly by the stimulation of the gustatory 
42 



490, ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

nerves are further exaggerated by the arrival of the saliva in 
the stomach, and by the direct action of the calumba on it. 
The result is to cause a feeling of hunger, an extra secretion of 
gastric juice and greater vascular dilatation, and all this helps 
the digestion of the food. Peristalsis in the stomach and 
intestine is made slightly more active, and thus calumba is car- 
minative. 

Injected [into] the rectum it is anthelmintic, destroying the 
threadworm. 

Therapeutics. 

Calumba is only employed to stimulate the gastric functions 
and improve the appetite in cases of chronic indigestion due to a 
general weakness of action on the part of the stomach. It is thus 
a type of the large class of stomachics. It is especially valuable 
in that form of dyspepsia in which the stomach participates in 
a general feebleness of all the organs of the body, such as we see 
in anaemia, starvation, convalescence from* acute diseases, tuber- 
culosis and general exhaustion. Bitters should never be used 
when there is acute or subacute gastritis, a gastric ulcer or pain. 
They will obviously make all these conditions worse. They must 
not be too concentrated, nor given for too long, lest they should 
over-irritate the stomach. They should always, as far as possible, 
be combined with modes of treatment designed to relieve the 
cause of the dyspepsia. Often they are called tonics ; all that is 
meant by this is that, as they render the digestion of food more 
easy, the general health will improve. Most bitters, when given 
as rectal injections [administered when the patient is in the knee- 
chest position], are anthelmintics for the Oxyuris vermicidaris. 
Half a pint of the infusion of calumba may be thrown into the 

rectum of an adult. 

[CALAMUS. 

CALAMUS. Synonym. — Sweet Flag. The rhizome of Acorus Cal- 
amus Linne (nat. ord. Aroidece). Habitat. — Europe and North America, on 
the hanks of streams and ponds. 

Characters. — In sections of various lengths, unpeeled, about 2 cm. 
broad, subcylindrical, longitudinally wrinkled; on the upper surface marked 
with leaf-scars forming triangles, and on the lower surface with the circular 



GENTIAN. 491 

scars of the rootlets in wavy lines ; externally reddish-brown, somewhat 
annulate from remnants of leaf-sheaths; internally whitish, of a spongy texture, 
breaking with a short, corky fracture, showing numerous oil-cells and scattered 
wood-bundles, the latter crowded within the subcircular endoderm. It has an 
aromatic odor, and a strongly bitter taste. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Acorin, C 36 H 60 O 6 , a 
glucoside. (2) Volatile oil, I to 2 per cent. (3) Calamine. , an alkaloid. 

Preparation. 
Extractum Calami Fluidum.— Fluid Extract of Calamus. By 
maceration and percolation with Alcohol, and evaporation. 
Dose, 15 to 60 m. 

Uses. 
Sweet flag is a simple bitter and feeble aromatic, and is used 
with advantage in pain or uneasiness in the stomach or bowels 
arising from flatulence or as an adjunct to purgative medicines.] 

GENTIANA. 

GENTIAN. — The root of Gentiana lutea [Linne (nat. ord. Gentianece). 
Habitat. — Mountains of Central and Southern Europe. 

Characters. — In nearly cylindrical pieces or longitudinal slices, about 
25 mm. thick, the upper portion closely annulate, the lower portion longitudi- 
nally wrinkled; externally deep yellowish-brown; internally lighter; some- 
% what flexible and tough when damp ; rather brittle when dry ; fracture uneven ; 
the bark rather thick, separated from the somewhat spongy meditullium by a 
black cambium line ; odor peculiar, faint, more prominent when moistened ; 
taste sweetish and persistently bitter. ] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) GentiopicHn, an active, 
very bitter glucoside, soluble in water and Alcohol. Can be split up into Glu- 
cose and Gentiogenin. (2) Gentisic Acid, [C 14 H 10 O 5 , in yellow, tasteless 
needles,] united with Gentiopicrin. (3) A trace of a volatile oil. (4) Gum and 
Sugar.] Gentian contains no Tannin, but cannot be prescribed with iron, 
because that darkens the coloring matter. 

Incompatibles. — Iron Sulphate, Silver Nitrate, and Lead Salts. 

Pose, 5 to 30 gr. 

Preparations. 

1. Extractum Gentianae. — [Extract of Gentian. By maceration 
and percolation with water and evaporation. 

Dose 2 to 10 gr. 

2. Extractum Gentianae Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Gentian. 
By maceration and percolation with diluted Alcohol, and evaporation. 

Dose, 5 to 30 m. 



492 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

3.* Tinctura Gentianae Composita. — Compound Tincture of 
Gentian. Gentian, 100 ; Bitter Orange Peel, 40; Cardamom, 10. By 
maceration and percolation with Alcohol and water, to 1 000. 

Dose, 1 to 4 fl. dr.] 

Action and Therapeutics. 
Gentian has the same action as other bitters, such as calumba, 
and is employed for the same class of cases. It is more used than 
any other bitter, because its taste is pleasant and it is not astrin- 
gent. 

QUASSIA. 

QUASSIA. — The wood of Picrcena excelsa [(Swartz) Lindley (nat. ord. 
Simarubece). Habitat. — Jamaica. 

Characters. — In billets of various sizes, dense, tough, of medium hard- 
ness, porous, with a minute pith and narrow, medullary rays ; inodorous, and 
intensely bitter. In the shops it is usually met with in the form of chips or 
raspings of a yellowish-white color.] Resembling Quassia. — Sassafras, but 
this is aromatic and not bitter. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Quassi[in, C 10 H 12 O 3 , a 
bitter principle occurring in crystalline rectangular plates.] (2) A volatile oil. 

[Dose, }£ to y 2 gr. (of Quassiin).] 

Preparations. 

1. Extractum Quassiae. — [Extract of Quassia. By percolation 
with water and evaporation. 

Dose, y 2 to 3 gr. 

2. Extractum Quassiae Fluidum, — Fluid Extract of Quassia. 
By maceration and percolation with Alcohol and water, and evapora- 
tion. 

Dose, X to x dr - 

3. Tinctura Quassiae. — Tincture of Quassia. Quassia, 100. 
By maceration and percolation with Alcohol and water, to 1000. 

Dose, y 2 to 2 dr.] 

Action and Therapeutics. 

Quassia is an aromatic bitter stomachic, acting in the same 
way as calumba. As it contains no tannin it is often prescribed 
with iron. The only objection to it is that some persons find it 
too bitter. Injected per rectum, it is an excellent anthelmintic 
for Oxyuris vermicularis ; half a pint of the infusion [1 to 80 of 



CHIRATA. 493 

cold water] may be given for this purpose, [the patient being in 
the knee-chest position]. 

CASCARILLA. 

CASCARILLA. — [The bark of Croton Eluteria Bennett (nat. ord. Eu- 
phorbiaceiE). Habitat. — Bahama Islands. 

Characters. — In quills or curved pieces about 2 mm. thick, having a 
grayish, somewhat fissured, easily detached, corky layer, more or less coated 
with a white lichen, the uncoated surface being dull brown, and the inner sur- 
face smooth. It breaks with a short fracture, having a resinous and radially 
striate appearance. When burned, it emits a strong, aromatic, somewhat 
musk-like odor; its taste is warm and very bitter.] Resembling Cascarilla. — 
Pale Cinchona, which is less white, smooth and small. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Cascarillin, a bitter neu- 
tral crystalline substance. (2) Volatile Oil, [1.5 per cent]. (3) Resin. (4) 
Tannin. 

Incompatibles. — Mineral acids, Lime Water and Metallic Salts. 

Dose, 10 to 30 gr. 

Action and Therapeutics. 
Cascarilla, because of its bitter principle cascarillin, like other 
vegetable bitters, improves the digestion, and this stomachic and 
carminative action is aided by the volatile oil in it. It is pleasant 
to take, and is suitable for the same cases as calumba. The 
infusion [1 to 10] will not keep good for more than a day unless 
the tincture [1 to 8] is added to it. Mineral acids precipitate the 
resin from the tincture ; therefore the infusion should be pre- 
scribed with them. 

CHIRATA. 

CHIRATA. — The [entire plant, Swertia Chirata Hamilton (nat. ord. 
Gentianece). Habitat. — Mountains of Northern India. 

Characters. — Root nearly simple, about 7 cm. long; stem branched, 
nearly I meter long, slightly quadrangular above ; containing a narrow wood- 
circle and a large yellowish pith. Leaves opposite, sessile, ovate, entire five- 
nerved. Flowers numerous, small, with a four-lobed calyx and carolla. The 
whole plant smooth, pale brown, inodorous, and intensely bitter.] Resembling 
C/iirata. — Lobelia, which is not bitter. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Chiratin, [C^H^gOjg,] an 
active, bitter, crystalline principle. (3) Ophelic Acid, [C 13 H 20 O n ], with which 
it is combined. No Tannin is present. 

Dose, % to 1 dr. 



494 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Preparations. 

[i. Extractum Chiratae Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Chirata. 
By maceration and percolation with Alcohol and water, and evapora- 
tion. 

Dose, y 2 to i fl. dr. 

2. Tinctura Chiratae. — Tincture of Chirata. Chirata, ioo; by 
maceration and percolation with Alcohol and water to iooo. 
Dose, yi to 2 fl. dr.] 

Action and Therapeutics. 

Chirata has the same actions and uses as gentian, calumba, 

and other bitters. As it contains no tannin, it can be given with 

iron. 

SERPENTARIA. 

SERPENTARIA. Synonym. — [Virginia Snakeroot. The rhizome 
and roots of Aristolochia Serpentaria Linne, and of Aristolochia reticulata 
Nuttall (nat. ord. Aristolochiacece). Habitat. — United States, in hilly woods. 

Characters. — The rhizome is about 25 mm. long, thin, bent ; on the 
upper side with approximate, short stem bases ; on the lower side with numer- 
ous, thin, branching roots about 10 cm. long; dull yellowish-brown, internally 
whitish ; the wood-rays of the rhizome longest on the lower side ; odor aro- 
matic, camphoraceous ; taste warm, bitterish, and camphoraceous. The roots 
of Aristolochia reticulata are coarser, longer, and less interlaced than those of 
Aristolochia Serpentaria.^ Resembling Serpentaria. — Veratrum Viride, Arnica, 
Valerian. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) A bitter principle, Aristo- 
lochine, in light yellow needles. (2) A volatile oil, [containing Terpene, and 
mainly C 15 H 25 2 , an Ether of Borneol]. (3) Resin. 

\_Serpentaria is contained in Tinctura Cinchonee Composita.] 

Dose, 10 to 30 gr. 

Preparations. 

[1. Extractum Serpentariae Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Serpen- 
taria. By maceration and percolation with Alcohol and water, and 
evaporation. 

Dose, 10 to 30 m.] 

2. Tinctura Serpentariae. — [Tincture of Serpentaria. Serpen- 
taria, 100; by maceration and percolation with Alcohol and water to 
IOOO. 

Dose, y 2 to 2 fl. dr.] 



CHAMOMILE. 495 

Action and Therapeutics. 

In the small doses in which serpentaria is given in medicine 

it is a bitter stomachic, acting just like calumba, and cascarilla, 

and it is used for the same class of cases. It is rarely prescribed 

alone. In large doses it produces vomiting and purging. Many 

virtues have been attributed to it which it [quite likely] does 

not possess. 

[ANTHEMIS. 

ANTHEMIS. Synonym. — Chamomile. The flower-heads oi Anthe- 
mis nobilis Linne (nat. ord. Composite), collected from cultivated plants 
Habitat. — Southern and Western Europe; cultivated; naturalized in a few- 
localities in the United States. 

Characters. — Heads subglobular, about 2 cm. broad, consisting of an 
imbricated involucre, and numerous white, strap-shaped, three-toothed florets, 
and few or no yellow tubular disk florets, inserted upon a chaffy, conical, solid 
receptacle. It has a strong, agreeable odor, and an aromatic, bitter taste. 

Composition. — (1) Anthemene, C 18 H 36 , in tasteless needles. (2) A 
volatile oil, I per cent., containing Anthemol, C 10 H 16 O. (3) A Resin. (4) 
Tannin. 

Dose, )/ 2 to 2 dr. 

Uses. 

Chamomile is used as a mild stimulant for the languid appetite 

and general debility, which often attends convalescence from 

fevers. 

MATRICARIA. 

MATRICARIA. Synonym. — German Chamomile. The flower-heads 
of Matricaria Chamomilla Linne (nat. ord. Composites). Habitat. — Europe 
and Western Asia. 

Characters. — About 15 to 20 mm. broad, composed of a flattish, imbri- 
cate involucre, a conical, hollow, naked receptacle, which is about 5 mm. high, 
about fifteen white, ligulate, reflexed ray-florets, and numerous yellow, tubular, 
perfect disk-florets without pappus ; strongly aromatic and bitter. Resei7ibling 
Matricaria. — Anthemis Arvensis and Anthemis Cotula, but these have conical, 
solid, and chaffy receptacles. 

Composition. — (1) Volatile Oil, % per cent. (2) Anthemic Acid. (3) 
Anthemidin. (4) Tannin. 

Dose, }( to 1 dr. 

Uses. 

The properties and uses are identical with those of Cham- 
omile.] 



496 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

CIMICIFUGA. 

CIMICIFUGA. [Synonym. — Black Snakeroot. The rhizome and 
roots of Cimicifuga racemosa (Linne) Nuttall (nat. ord. Ranunculacece). 
Habitat. — North America; in rich woodlands, westward to Eastern Kansas. 

Characters. — The rhizome is of horizontal growth, hard, 5 cm. or more 
long, about 25 mm. thick, with numerous stout, upright or curved branches, 
terminated by a cup-shaped scar, and with numerous wiry, brittle, obtusely 
quadrangular roots, about 2 mm. thick ; the whole brownish-black, of a slight 
but heavy odor, and of a bitter, acrid taste. Rhizome and branches have a 
smooth fracture, with a rather large pith, surrounded by numerous sublinear, 
whitish wood-rays, and a thin, firm bark. The roots break with a short frac- 
ture, have a thick bark, and contain a ligneous cord expanding into about four 
rays. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) A crystalline principle, 
soluble in Chloroform and Alcohol, the solution intensely acrid. (2) Tannin. 
(3) Two Resins.] 

Cimicifugin or Macrotin is an impure Resin deposited from the tincture on 
adding water. 

Preparations . 

1. Extractum Cimicifugse. — [Extract of Cimicifuga. By macera- 
tion and percolation with Alcohol, and evaporation. 

Dose, 1 to 5 gr. 

2. Extractum Cimicifugsrj Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Cimici- 
fuga. By maceration and percolation with Alcohol, and evaporation. 

Dose, y 2 to 1 fl. dr.] 

3. Tinctura Cimicifugae. — [Tincture of Cimicifuga. Cimici- 
fuga, 200; by maceration and percolation with Alcohol to 1000. 

Dose, y 2 to 2 fl. dr.] 

Action. 
Cimicifuga has two chief actions. It influences the gastric 
secretion like any other bitter, and, to a slight extent, it depresses 
the rate, but increases the force of the pulse, like digitalis. The 
arterial tension rises. It is said to cause contractions of the 
uterus and to increase the menstrual flow. 

Therapeutics. 
It has been used for chorea, dyspepsia, bronchitis, amenor- 
rhcea, rheumatism, neuralgia, and many other diseases. The evi- 
dence that it does any good is slight. 



ORANGE. 497 

TARAXACUM. 

TARAXACUM. [Synonym. — Dandelion. The root of Taraxacutn 
officinale Weber (nat. ord. Composites), gathered in autumn. Habitat. — Grassy 
places and roadsides in Europe ; naturalized in the United States. 

Characters. Slightly conical, about 30 cm. long, and 1 or 2 cm. thick 
above, crowned with several short, thickish heads, somewhat branched, dark 
brown, longitudinally wrinkled, when dry breaking with a short fracture, 
showing a yellowish, porous central axis, surrounded by a thick, white bark, 
containing numerous milk vessels arranged in concentric circles; inodorous; 
bitter.] Resembling Taraxacum — Pellitory, which is pungent when chewed. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Taraxacin,a. crystalline 
bitter principle, soluble in water and Alcohol. (2) Taraxacerin, C 8 H 16 0. 
(3) Inulin. (4) Resin (which gives the juice its milky appearance). 

[Impurity. — The root of the Cichorium Intybus, which is paler, and has 
the milk vessels in radiating lines.] 

Dose, 1 to 3 dr. 

Preparations. 

[1. Extractum Taraxaci. — Extract of Taraxacum. By expression 
and straining and evaporation. 

Dose, 5 to 30 gr. 

2. Extractum Taraxaci Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Taraxacum. 
By maceration and percolation with diluted Alcohol, and evaporation. 

Dose, 1 to 4 fl. dr.] 

Action and Therapeutics. 
Dandelion is a simple bitter, and acts as a stomachic, just like 
calumba. It is also slightly laxative. It was formerly much 
more used than at the present day. It has been said to stimulate 
the flow of bile, but this is incorrect. 

AURANTII CORTEX. 

AURANTII [AMARI CORTEX.— Bitter Orange Peel. The rind 
of the fruit of Citrus vulgaris Risso (nat. ord. Rutacece). Habitat. — Northern 
India; cultivation in subtropical countries. 

Characters. — In narrow, thin bands, or in quarters ; epidermis of a dark 
brownish-green color, glandular, and with very little of the spongy, white 
inner layer adhering to it ; it has a fragrant odor, and an aromatic, bitter taste. 

Composption. — The chief constituents are (1) a volatile oil, consisting 
mainly of Hesperidene, C 10 H 16 , with a small portion of Geraniol, C 10 H 16 O. 
(2) Hesperidin, a bitter principle. 

Bitter Orange Peel is contained in Tinctura Cinchonse Composita and 
Tinctura Gentianse Composita.] 



49$ ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Preparations. 
[i. Extractum Aurantii Amari Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of 
Bitter Orange Peel. By maceration and percolation with Alcohol and 
water, and evaporation. 
Dose, y z to i fl. dr. 

2. Tinctura Aurantii Amari. — Tincture of Bitter Orange Peel. 
Bitter Orange Peel, 200. By maceration and percolation with Alcohol 
and water to 1 000. 

Dose, 1 to 2 fl. dr.] 
[AURANTII DULCIS CORTEX.— Sweet Orange Peel. The rind 
of the fresh fruit of Citrus Aurantium Linne (nat. ord. Rutacece). Habitat — 
As of the Citrus vulgaris. 

Characters. — Closely resembling Bitter Orange Peel, but having an 
orange-yellow color. It has a sweetish, fragrant odor, and aromatic, slightly 
bitter taste. 

Composition. — As of the Bitter Orange Peel. 

" Preparations. 

1. Syrupus Aurantii. — Syrup of Sweet Orange Peel. Sweet 
Orange Peel, 50; Precipitated Calcium Phosphate, 50; Sugar, 700. 
By boiling with Alcohol, solution of Sugar with water, and filtration to 
1000. 

Dose, as vehicle. 

2. Tinctura Aurantii Dulcis. — Tincture of Sweet Orange Peel. 
Sweet Orange Peel, 200. By maceration and percolation with Alcohol 
to 1000. 

Dose, 1 to 2 fl. dr.] 

[OLEUM AURANTII CORTICIS. Oil of Orange Peel. A vola- 
tile oil obtained by expression from the fresh peel of either the Bitter Orange,. 
Citris vulgaris Risso, or the Sweet Orange, Citrus Aurantium Linne (nat. ord. 
Rutacece') . 

Characters. — A pale yellowish liquid, having the characteristic, aromatic 
odor of Orange, and an aromatic and, when obtained from the Bitter Orange, 
somewhat bitter taste. Sp. gr., about 0.850. Solubility. — In four times its 
volume of Alcohol. 

Impurities. — Oil of Turpentine or other oils containing pinene. 

Oil of Orange Peel is contained in Spiritus Myrciae.] 

Preparations. 
1. Spiritus Aurantii. — Spirit of Orange. Oil of Orange Peel 
50; Deodorized Alcohol, 950. 
Dose, as vehicle. 



ORANGE. 499 

2. Spiritus Aurantii Compositus. — Compound Spirit of Orange. 
Oil of Orange Peel, 200; Oil of Lemon, 50; Oil of Coriander, 20; 
Oil of Anise, 5 ; Deodorized Alcohol to 1 000. 

Dose, as vehicle. 

3. Elixir Aromaticum. — Aromatic Elixir. Compound Spirit of 
Orange, 12 ; Syrup, 375 ; Precipitated Calcium Phosphate, 15 ; Deodor- 
ized Alcohol, distilled water, each, a sufficient quantity to make 1000. 
By solution of the Compound Spirit of Orange in Deodorized Alcohol, 
to 250 ; addition of syrup and the Precipitated Calcium Phosphate, and 
filtering with distilled water to 1 000. 

Dose, as vehicle.] 

[OLEUM AURANTII FLORUM.— Oil of Orange Flowers. Syno- 
nym. — Oil of Neroli. A volatile oil distilled from fresh flowers of the Bitter 
Orange, Citrus vulgaris Risso (nat. ord. Rutacece). 

Characters. — A yellowish or brownish, thin liquid, having a very fra- 
grant odor of Orange Flowers, and an aromatic, somewhat bitter taste. Sp. 
gr., 0.875 to 0.890. Solubility. — In an equal volume of Alcohol. 

Preparations . 

1. Aqua Aurantii Florum Fortior. — Stronger Orange Flower 
Water. Synonym. — Triple Orange Flower Water. Water saturated 
with the volatile oil of fresh Orange Flowers. 

Dose, indeterminate. 

2. Aqua Aurantii Florum. — Orange Flower Water. Stronger 
Orange Flower Water, 500; distilled water to 1000. 

Dose, indeterminate. 

3. Syrupus Aurantii Florum. — Syrup of Orange Flowers. Sugar, 
850 ; Orange Flower Water to 1000. 

Dose, indeterminate.] 

Action and Therapeutics. 

The various preparations of the orange are used largely as 
flavoring agents. They are slightly bitter and stomachic. 



500 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

GROUP VIII. 

Vegetable Drugs containing Tannic Acid. 

These are all astringent. 

Oak Bark, Nutgall, Catechu, [Krameria,] Kino, Haematoxylon, Ham- 
amelis, [Rhus Glabra, Geranium, Rubus, Rumex]. 

QUERCUS [ALBA.— White Oak. The bark of the Quercus alba 
Linne (nat. ord. Cupuliferce) . Habitat. — North America, westward to Min- 
nesota, Kansas, and Mississippi ; in woods. 

Characters. — In nearly flat pieces, deprived of the corky layer, about 5 
mm thick; pale brown ; inner surface with short, sharp, longitudinal ridges; 
tough; of a coarse, flbrous fracture, a faint, tan-like odor, and a strongly 
astringent taste As met with in the shops it is usually an irregularly coarse, 
fibrous powder, which does not tinge the saliva yellow. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — ( 1 ) Quercotannic acid, C 28 H 24 
12 and C 28 H 28 O u , 6 to 11] per cent., a variety of Tannic Acid. (2) Quercin, 
a bitter principle. (3) Pectin. (4) Resin. 

Incompatibles. — See Tannic Acid. 

GALLA. — [Nutgall. An excrescence on Quercus lusitanica Lamarck 
(nat. ord. Cupuliferce) , caused by the punctures and deposited ova of Cynips 
Gallce tinctorice Olivier (class Insecta ; order Hymenoptera). Habitat, — 
Levant. 

Characters. — Subglobular, 1 or 2 cm. in diameter, more or less tuber- 
culated above, otherwise smooth, heavy, hard ; often with a circular hole near 
the middle, communicating with the central cavity; blackish olive-green or 
blackish-gray; fracture granular, grayish; in the center a cavity containing 
either the partly developed insect, or purulent remains left by it; nearly 
inodorous, taste strongly astringent.] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Tannin, [50 to 60] per 
cent. (2) Gallic Acid, 2 to [3] per cent. 

Incompatibles. — See Tannic and Gallic Acids. 

Preparations, 

1. Tinctura Gallse. — [Tincture of Nutgall. Nutgall, 200; by 
maceration with Glycerin, 100, and Alcohol to 1000. 

Dose, 1 to 2 fl. dr.] 

2. Unguentum Gallae. — [Nutgall Ointment. Nutgall, 20; Ben- 
zoinated Lard, 80.] 



TANNIC ACID. 5<DI 

ACIDUM TANNICUM.— Tannic Acid, [HC u H 9 9 =32i. 22. Syn- 
onyms — 'Tannin, Gallotannic Acid, Digallic Acid. An organic acid extracted 
from Nutgall. 

Source. — (i) Expose powdered Nutgall to a damp atmosphere for twenty- 
four hours. (2) Add Ether to form a paste, and let it stand, closely covered 
for six hours. (3) Express this in a close canvas cloth, between tinned plates, 
reduce the resulting cake to powder and mix with sufficient Ether and express 
as before. (4) Mix the expressed liquids and allow the mixture to evaporate 
spontaneously. Tannic Acid remains. [2 HC-H 5 5 — H 2 0=HC u H 9 9 .] 

Characters. — [A light yellowish, amorphous powder, usually cohering 
in form of glistening scales or spongy masses, odorless, or having a faint char- 
acteristic odor, and a strongly astringent taste ; gradually turning darker when 
exposed to air and light. Solubility. — In about I part of water, and in 0.6 
part of Alcohol ; also in about I part of Glycerin, with the intervention of a 
moderate heat; freely soluble in diluted Alcohol, sparingly in absolute Alco- 
hol ; almost insoluble in absolute Ether, Chloroform, Benzol or Benzin.] 

In COMPATIBLES. — Mineral Acids, Alkalies, Antimony Salts, Lead, Silver, 
Ferric Salts, Alkaloids, Gelatin, Emulsions. 

Dose, 1 to 20 gr. 

Preparations. 

[1. Collodium Stypticum. — Styptic Collodion. Tannic Acid, 
20; Alcohol, 5 ; Ether, 25 ; Collodion, to 100. By solution. 

2. Trochisci Acidi Tannici. — Troches of Tannic Acid. Tannic 
Acid, 6 ; Sugar, 65 ; Tragacanth, 2 gm. ; Stronger Orange Flower 
Water, a sufficient quantity to make 100 troches. Each contains I gr. 
of Tannic Acid. 

Dose, 1 to 3 troches. 

3. Unguentum Acidi Tannici. — Ointment of Tannic Acid. 
Tannic Acid, 20 ; Benzoinated Lard, 80. 

4. Glyceritum Acidi Tannici. — Glycerite of Tannic Acid. 
Tannic Acid, 20; Glycerin, 80. By solution.] 

Action. 

External. — Tannic acid is one of our most important drugs, 
because it coagulates albumin and gelatin with great readiness; 
that is to say, it tans the tissues, for it is by coagulating the inter- 
stitial fluid in skins, that tannic acid converts them into leather. 
•If an albuminous discharge is taking place from a sore or mucous 
surface and tannic acid is applied, the excreted fluid is coagulated, 
and the coagulum forms a solid protecting layer which prevents 



502 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

further discharge. As the tannic acid soaks into the tissues it 
coagulates the albuminous fluids there also, and this still further 
hinders the discharge of fluid, therefore it is an .energetic astrin- 
gent. If bleeding is taking place, tannic acid of course coagu- 
lates the blood as it flows and the clots plug the vessels; at the 
same time the coagulum formed within the tissues, by its contrac- 
tion, constricts the blood-vessels, and thus tannic acid becomes a 
powerful haemostatic. Authorities differ as to whether it also 
contracts the blood-vessels by acting directly on them like lead, 
silver, ergot, etc., but probably it has no such action. Tannic 
acid is slightly antiseptic, and it is mildly depressant to sensory 
nerves. Like other acids it is irritant, but it is very feebly so, 
and consequently its action in this direction is more than counter- 
balanced by its strongly astringent effects. 

Internal. — Gastro-intestinal tract. — Because tannic acid 
coagulates the mucous secretions and the fluids in mucous mem- 
branes, it makes the mouth dry when locally applied ; in the 
stomach and intestines it prevents the secretion of gastric and 
intestinal juices, and decreases the flow of mucus. For these 
reasons, and also because it precipitates pepsin, it interferes with 
digestion. In the intestine it is converted into gallic acid, 
but until this happens it can control gastric or intestinal bleeding. 
It is absorbed as gallic acid. Salts of tannic acid have no astrin- 
gent properties. 

Remote effects. — Gallic acid has no power to coagulate albumin, 
nor has it any astringent influence when locally applied, therefore 
it is difficult to believe that tannic acid has any remote astringent 
or hsemostatic effects ; some claim that it has, but they have not 
proved their case. It is excreted in the urine as gallic and pyro- 
gallic acids. Many vegetable substances, as logwood, depend, 
for their astringent properties, on the tannic acid they contain. 

Therapeutics. 

The therapeutical applications of tannic acid are very numer- 
ous. It is used as an astringent for ulcers, sores, various moist 
eruptions, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, nasal catarrh, otorrhcea, gastric 



GALLIC ACID. 503 

catarrh, diarrhoea (large doses of 30 grains may be given, and 
catechu and logwood are favorite remedies), leucorrhoea, gonor- 
rhoea, rectal ulcers, fissures, and prolapse. It is employed as a 
haemostatic in bleeding from small wounds, ulcers, the gums, the 
pharynx, the nose, the stomach, the intestine, haemorrhoids, the 
bladder. Whenever practicable a good method of application is 
to dust it on the part, especially for a haemorrhage; if this is gastric 
or intestinal, 30 grains or more should be frequently given by 
the mouth. For external use or application to the throat the 
glycerite is useful. A gargle of 3j of the glycerite to 3 j of water 
may be made. The [troches] are convenient for pharyngitis. A 
spray (6 to 10 gr. in %} of water) or an insufflation of tannic acid 
and starch may be used for the mouth and larynx. The oint- 
ment of [nut]gall and opium, [1 to 14 of ointment of nutgall,] is a 
favorite application for piles. The suppositories [3 grains each] 
are useful for rectal discharges. Solutions of 10 gr. to t ^j of 
water may be injected into the urethra and bladder. The 
decoction of oak bark, employed as a high rectal injection, 
destroys the threadworm. 

ACIDUM GALLICUM.— Gallic Acid. HC\H 5 5 +H 2 0[=i87.55. 
An organic acid, usually prepared from Tannic Acid. 

Source. — By exposing a mixture of Nutgall and distilled water in the 
form of a thin paste, to the air for a month, expressing and rejecting the 
liquor, boiling the residue with distilled water and filtering, when hot, through 
purified Animal Charcoal. HC 14 H 9 9 4-H 2 0=2HC 7 H 6 5 ]. 

Characters. — [White, or pale fawn-colored, silky, interlaced needles, or 
triclinic prisms ; odorless ; having an astringent or slightly acidulous taste ; 
permanent in the air. Solubility. — In 100 parts of water, and in 5 parts of 
Alcohol; also soluble in 40 parts of Ether, and in 12 parts of Glycerin. Very 
slightly soluble in Chloroform, Benzol, or Benzin.] 

Incompatibles. — Ferric and Metallic Salts generally; Spiritus ^Etheris 
Nitrosi. 

Dose, 5 to 20 gr. 

Action. 

Gallic acid has no power to coagulate albumin, and therefore 
possesses none of the local properties of tannic acid. If it is 
wished to produce the supposed remote astringent effects of tannic 



504 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

acid, gallic acid may be administered, for tannic acid is in the 
intestine converted into it. 

PYROGALLOL. 

[PYROGALLOL.— C 6 H 3 (OH) 3 =i25.7. Synonym.— Pyrogallic Acid. 

Source. — A triatomic phenol obtained chiefly by the dry distillation of 
Gallic Acid. HC 7 H 5 5 =C 6 H 3 (OH) 3 -}-C0 2 . 

Characters. — Light white, shining laminae, or fine needles, odorless, 
and having a bitter taste ; acquiring a gray or darker tint on exposure to air 
and light. Solubility. — In 1.7 parts of water, and in I part of Alcohol; also 
soluble in 1.2 parts of Ether.] 

Action and Therapeutics. 

It is used externally as an ointment (Jarisch's ointment is 

pyrogallic acid, 60 gr. ; lard, 1 oz.) for the treatment of chronic 

psoriasis. It is also an excellent parasiticide for ringworm. 

[Before pyrogallol is used, vaseline should be applied thoroughly, 

and wiped off, to remove scales and other morbid products.] It 

must not be applied over too large a surface, as it may be 

absorbed and produce toxic symptoms. Jarisch's ointment is 

very strong; a more usual strength is 10 or 20 gr. or even less 

to an ounce of lard. [When it is applied in solution or ointment, 

it stains the skin, but not permanently ; linen and clothing are, 

however, permanently darkened. To avoid the staining it has 

been proposed to dissolve the remedy in flexible collodion, 20 

to 40 gr. to the ounce.] 

CATECHU. 

CATECHU. — An extract [prepared from the wood of Acacia Catechu 
(Linne filius) Willdenow (nat. ord. Leguminosce). Habitat. — India. 

Characters. — In irregular masses, containing fragments of leaves, dark 
brown, brittle, somewhat porous and glossy when freshly broken. It is nearly 
inodorous, and has a strongly astringent and sweetish taste.] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Calechu-tannic Acid, 
about 35 per cent., the active principle, isomeric with Catechin, and converted 
into it by boiling or by the saliva, a red color being formed. (2) Catechin or 
Catechuic Acid, [C 21 H 20 O 9 -f-5H 2 O], probably inactive. Both constituents give 
a green precipitate with Ferric Salts. 

Incompatibles. — Alkalies, Metallic Salts, and Gelatin. 

Impurity. — Starch. 

Dose, 10 to 30 gr. 



KRAMERIA. 505 

Preparations. 

1. Tinctura [Catechu Composita. — Compound Tincture of Cate- 
chu. Catechu, 100 ; Cassia Cinnamon, 50; by maceration and perco- 
lation with diluted Alcohol, to 1000. 

Dose, y z to 2 fl. dr. 

2. Trochisci Catechu. — Troches of Catechu. Catechu, 6; 
Sugar, 65 ; Tragacanth, 2 gm. ; Stronger Orange Flower Water, a suffi- 
cient quantity to make 100 troches. Each troche contains I gr. 

Dose, 1 to 6 troches.] 

Action and Therapeutics. 

Catechu is a powerful astringent, acting in virtue of its 
tannic acid, and having a precisely similar action to it. It is 
used as a [troche] for sore throats, and the compound tincture is 
very efficacious for diarrhoea. 

KRAMERIA. 

[KRAMERIA. Synonym. — Rhatany. The root of Krameria triandra 
Ruiz et Pa von, and of Krameria Ixina Linne (nat. ord. Polygalece). 
Habitat. — Peru and Bolivia. 

Characters. — From 1 to 3 cm. thick, knotty and several-headed above, 
branched below, the branches long ; bark smooth or, in the thinner pieces, 
scaly, deep rust-brown, 1 to 2 mm. thick, very astringent, inodorous ; wood 
pale brownish-red, tough, with fine medullary rays, nearly tasteless. The root 
of Krameria Ixina (Savanilla Rhatany) is less knotty and more slender, and 
has a dark purplish -brown bark, about 3 mm. thick.] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Kramero-tannic Acid, 
C 54 H 24 21 , 20 per cent. (2) Rhatanhic red, [C 26 H 22 O n ], the coloring matter. 

Incompatibles. — Alkalies, Lime Water, Iron and Lead Salts, and 
Gelatin. 

Dose, 5 to 30 gr. 

Preparations. 

1. Extractum Krameriae. — [Extract of Krameria. By percola- 
tion with water, straining and evaporation. 

Dose, 5 to 10 gr.] 

2. [Extractum Krameriae Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Krame- 
ria. By maceration and percolation with Glycerin and diluted 
Alcohol, and evaporation. 

Dose, 5 to 30 m.] 

43 



506 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

3. Tinctura Krameriae. — [Tincture of Krameria. Krameria, 
200; by maceration and percolation with diluted Alcohol to 1 000. 

Dose, ]/ 2 to 2 fl. dr. 

4. Trochisci Krameriae. — Troches of Krameria. Extract of 
Krameria, 6; Sugar, 65; Tragacanth, 2 gm.; Stronger Orange Flower 
Water, a sufficient quantity to make 100 troches. Each troche con- 
tains 1 gr. 

Dose, 1 to 5 troches. 

5. Syrupus Krameriae. — Syrup of Krameria. Fluid Extract 
of Krameria, 450; syrup, 550. 

Dose, yi to 4 fl. dr.] 

Action. 

The action of rhatany is due entirely to the tannic acid it 
contains. It is therefore a powerful astringent. 

Therapeutics. 

The powdered extract is the important ingredient of many 
tooth powders which are useful when the gums are liable to bleed. 
The infusion is an excellent gargle for a relaxed throat, and the 
troches are also efficacious. Bleeding from the nose or the rec- 
tum may be stopped by applying powdered krameria local- 
ly ; the infusion [B. P. 1 to 20] may be used as an injection 
in leucorrhcea or gonorrhoea. Any of its preparations, espe- 
cially [the fluid extract] are powerful astringents for all varieties 
of diarrhoea, and may be taken to stop bleeding from the 
stomach and intestines. They are also given as remote haemos- 
tatics for haemoptysis and haematuria, but they are not reliable 

for these purposes. 

KINO. 

KINO. — The [inspissated juice of Pterocarpus Marsupium Roxburgh 
(nat. ord. Leguminosce) . Habitat. — East Indies. 

Characters. — Small, angular, dark brownish-red, shining pieces, brittle, 
in thin layers ruby-red and transparent, inodorous, very astringent and sweetish, 
tingeing the saliva deep red. Solubility. — Soluble in Alcohol, nearly insoluble 
in Ether, and only slightly soluble in cold water.] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Kino-tannic acid, C 18 
H 18 8 , 75 per cent. (2) Kinoin, a crystalline neutral substance. (3) Pyrocate- 
chin, C 6 H 4 (OH) 2 , a substance also found pathologically in the urine, and giving 



LOGWOOD. 507 

it a dark color. It reduces blue copper solutions. (4) Kino-red, formed from 
kino-tannic acid by oxidation. (5) Gum. 

Incompatibles. — Mineral acids, alkalies, all metallic salts, carbonates, 
gelatin. 

Dose, 5 to 30 gr. 

Preparation. 

Tinctura Kino. — [Tincture of Kino. Kino, 100 ; Glycerin, 150. 
By maceration and filtration with water, 200 ; and Alcohol to 1000. 
Dose, X to 2 fl. dr.] 

Action and Therapeutics. 

Kino-tannic acid acts like tannic acid, and therefore kino is 
a powerful astringent. It is used in astringent gargles, and 
also in diarrhoea mixtures. 

H^MATOXYLON. 

[HEMATOXYLIN. Synonym.— Logwood. The heart-wood of 
Hcematoxylon campechianum Linne (nat. ord. Leguminosce). Habitat. — Cen- 
tral America ; naturalized in the West Indies. 

Characters. — Heavy, hard, externally purplish-black, internally brown- 
ish-red, and marked with irregular, concentric circles, splitting irregularly ; odor 
faint, agreeable ; taste sweetish, astringent. When chewed, it colors the saliva 
dark pink. Logwood is generally met with in the form of small chips or coarse 
powder of a dark brownish-red color, often with a greenish lustre.] Resembling 
Logwood. — Red [Saunders], which is more dense and less astringent. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Tannic acid. (2) Hema- 
toxylin, C 16 H u 6 , 12 per cent. Occurring in colorless crystals, which become 
dark -red on exposure to light. Solutions of it are used to stain histological 
specimens. (3) Haematein, C 16 H 12 6 , a product of oxidation of the former, 
having a green metallic lustre. 

Incompatibles. — Mineral acids, lime water, and Tartar Emetic; metallic 
salts give a blue color. 

Preparation. 

[Extractum Haematoxylon. — Extract of Hsematoxylon. By 
maceration in water, boiling, straining, and evaporation. 
Dose, 5 to 15 gr.] 

Action and Therapeutics. 

In virtue of its tannic acid, logwood is a powerful astringent, 
and for this purpose is used to control diarrhoea of all sorts. It 



508 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

may be combined with other astringents, as chalk and opium. 

It does not easily produce constipation. It colors the urine and 

faeces dark red. One disadvantage of it is that it stains linen, if 

dropped on it. 

HAMAMELIS. 

HAMAMELIS. \_Synonym. — Witchhazel. The leaves of Hamamelis 
virginiana Linne (nat. ord. Hamamelacece) , collected in autumn. Habitat. — 
North America, in thickets. 

Characters. — Short-petiolate, about iocm. long, obvate or oval, slightly 
heart-shaped and oblique at the base, sinuate-toothed, thickish, nearly smooth ; 
inodorous ; taste astringent and bitter.] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (i) Tannin 8 per cent. (2) 
A bitter principle not yet isolated. (3) Resin. 

Preparation. 

[Extractum Hamamelidis Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Hama- 
melis. By maceration and percolation with Glycerin, Alcohol and 
water, and evaporation. 

Dose, ]/ 2 to 2 fl. dr.] 

Action and Therapeutics. 

Hamamelis is, because of its tannic acid, astringent and 
haemostatic. The fluid extract is used for capillary haemor- 
rhage from wounds, for bleeding from the nose, the sockets of 
the teeth, the gums, or from piles, and it may be injected into 
the bladder in vesical haemorrhage. For all these purposes it is 
diluted with water ; the fluid may be any strength ; the fluid ex- 
tract in 10 or 20 parts of water is commonly employed. Locally 
applied, hamamelis, either as the ointment [B. P., 1 to 10] or a 
dilute[d] fluid preparation, is used as an astringent in bruises, 
sprains, pharyngitis, and nasal catarrh. The ointment is often 
used for piles. Given by the mouth, hamamelis may check 
diarrhoea, dysentery, etc. ; and it is reputed to be a remote 
haemostatic and astringent, but this is probably incorrect. 

[RHUS GLABRA. 

RHUS GLABRA. Synonym. — Sumach. The fruit of Rhus 
glabra Linne (nat. ord. Anacardiece). Habitat. — North America, west to Col- 
orado and Idaho ; in barren soil. 



GERANIUM, BLACKBERRY. 5O9 

Characters. — Subglobular, about 3 mm. in diameter, drupaceous, crim- 
son, densely hairy, containing a roundish-oblong, smooth putamen ; inodorous ; 
taste acidulous. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Tannin, of which it con- 
tains from 6 to 27 per cent. (2) Fruit acids, chiefly Malic. 

Preparation. 

Extractum Rhois Glabrae Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Rhus 
Glabra. By maceration and percolation with Glycerin and diluted 
Alcohol, and evaporation. 

Dose, j^ to 1 fl. dr. 

Action and Uses. 
Sumac fruit is astringent and refrigerant. The fluid extract, 
when diluted, affords a very useful and effective gargle for inflam- 
mation and ulceration of the throat.] 

[GERANIUM. 

GERANIUM. Synonym. — Cranesbill. The rhizome of Geranium 
maculatum Linn£ (nat. ord. Geraniacece). Habitat. — North America, in 
woods and thickets. 

Characters. — Of horizontal growth, cylindrical, 5 to 7 cm. long; about 
I cm. thick; rather sharply tuberculated, longitudinally wrinkled, dark brown ; 
fracture short, pale reddish-brown; bark thin; wood-wedges yellowish, small, 
forming a circle near the cambium line ; medullary rays broad ; central pith 
large ; roots thin, fragile ; inodorous ; taste strongly astringent. 

Composition. — (1) Tannin, 12 to 27 per cent. (2) Gallic Acid. (3) 
Pectin. 

Preparation. 

Extractum Geranii Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Geranium. 
By maceration and percolation with glycerin and diluted Alcohol, and 
evaporation. 

Dose, X to 1 fl. dr. 

Action and Uses. 
Geranium is one of the best indigenous astringents, and is of 
great use in diarrhoea and dysentery, and in the various haemor- 
rhages ] 

[RUBUS. 

RUBUS. Synonym. — Blackberry. The bark of the root of Rubus 
villosus Aiton, Rubus canadensis, Linn£, and Rubus trivialis Michaux (nat. 
ord. Rosacece). Habitat. — North America, in fields and thickets. 



510 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Characters. — In thin, tough, flexible bands, outer surface blackish or 
blackish-gray, inner surface pale brownish, sometimes with strips of whitish, 
tasteless wood adhering ; inodorous ; taste strongly astringent, somewhat bitter. 

Composition. — (i) Tannin, 10 to 13 per cent. (2) Gallic Acid, 0.4 per 
cent. (3) Villosin, a bitter crystalline glucoside, soluble in Alcohol. 

Preparations. 

1. Extractum Rubi Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Rubus. By 
maceration and percolation with Glycerin, Alcohol and water, and 
evaporation. 

Dose, ^ to 2 fl. dr. 

2. Syrupus Rubi. — Syrup of Rubus. Fluid Extract of Rubus, 
250 ; Syrup, 750. 

Dose, 1 to 2 fl. dr. 

Action and Uses. 
The preparations made from blackberry root are tonic and 
slightly astringent. They are used for diarrhoeas.] 

[RUMEX. 

RUM EX. Synonym. — Yellow Dock. The root of Rumex crispus 
Linne, and of some other species of Rumex (nat. ord. Polygonacece) . 
Habitat. — Europe ; naturalized in North America, in grassy places and along 
roadsides. 

Characters. — From 20 to 30 cm. long, about 10 to 15 mm. thick, some- 
what fusiform, fleshy, nearly simple, annulate above, deeply wrinkled below; 
externally rusty brown, internally whitish, with fine, straight, interrupted, red- 
dish, medullary rays, and a rather thick bark ; fracture short ; odor slight, 
peculiar ; taste bitter and astringent. 

Composition. — (1) Tannin. (2) Chrysophanic Acid. (3) Calcium 
Oxalate. 

Dose, ]^ to 1 dr. 

Preparation. 

Extractum Rumicis Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Rumex. By 
maceration and percolation with diluted Alcohol, and evaporation. 
Dose, % to 1 fl. dr. 

Action and Uses. 

Rumex is astringent, slightly tonic and alterative. It has 
been used in syphilis, scorbutic disorders, and cutaneous erup- 
tions.] 



OLIVE OIL, SOAP. 5 I I 

GROUP IX. 

Vegetable Demulcent Substances. 

[Soap,] Olive Oil, [Chondrus,] Glycerin, Oleic Acid, [Althaea,] Al- 
mond,Tragacanth, Acacia, [Ulmus,] Liquorice, Linseed, Cetraria. 

OLEUM OLIV^. 

OLIVE OIL. — A [fixed oil expressed from the ripe fruit of Olea 
Europcea Linne (nat. ord. Oleacecz). Habitat. — Asia and Southern Europe ; 
cultivated . 

Characters, — A pale yellow, or light greenish-yellow, oily liquid, having 
a slight, peculiar odor, and a nutty, oleaginous taste, with a faintly acrid after- 
taste. Sp. gr., 0.915 to 0.918. Solubility. — Very sparingly soluble in Alcohol, 
but readily soluble in Ether, Chloroform, or Carbon Disulphide.] 

Composition. — The [three] constituents are — (1) Olein, 72 per cent., a 
fluid oil, a compound of Oleic Acid and Glyceryl, thus : C 3 H 5 (C 18 H 33 2 ) 3 . 
(2) Palmitin, 28 per cent., a solid oil, a compound of Palmitic Acid, and 
Glyceryl, C 3 H 5 (C 16 H 31 2 ) 3 . [(3) Cholesterin, C 26 H 44 0, soluble in Alcohol.] 
The formula for Oleic Acid is HC 18 H 33 2 ; and for Palmitic, HC 16 H 31 2 . 

Impurities. — Cotton Seed and other Oils. 

Dose, freely. 

Olive Oil is contained in Emplastrum Plumbi and Unguentum Diachylon. 

SAPO. 

SOAP. — Sodium Oleate, NaC 18 H 33 2 . [Synonyms. — White Castile Soap, 
Hard Soap. 

Source. — Soap is prepared from Soda and Olive Oil. C 3 H 5 (C 18 H 33 2 ) 3 
-f-3NaOH^2NaC 18 H 33 2 (hard Soap) +C 3 H 5 (OH) 3 (Glycerin). 

Characters. — A white or whitish solid, hard, yet easily cut when fresh, 
having a faint, peculiar odor free from rancidity, a disagreeable, alkaline taste, 
and an alkaline reaction. Solubility. — Soluble in water and in Alcohol, more 
readily with the aid of heat.] 

Preparations. 

[1. Emplastrum Saponis. — Soap Plaster. Soap, 100; Lead 
Plaster, 900 ; by solution in water and evaporation. 

2. Linimentum Saponis. — Soap Liniment. Synonym. — Opod- 
eldoc. Soap, 70; Camphor, 45 ; Oil of Rosemary, 10; Alcohol, 750; 
water to 1000. 

Soap Liniment is used in Linimentum Chloroformi.] 



512 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 



SAPO MOLLIS. 



SOFT SOAP. [Synonyms. — Sapo Viridis, Green Soap. A soap pre- 
pared from Potassa and fixed oils, generally from Olive Oil.] It is Potassium 
Oleate. 

Source. — [By heating Linseed Oil, 400; adding to this Potassa, 90; dis- 
solved in water, 450 ; and Alcohol, 40 ; until the mixture is soluble in boiling 
water without the separation of oily drops. It is Potassium Oleate just as 
Soap is Sodium Oleate. 

Characters. — A soft, unctuous mass, of a yellowish-brown or brownish- 
yellow color. Solubility. — In about 5 parts of hot water to a nearly clear 
liquid ; also in 2 parts of hot Alcohol, without leaving more than 3 per cent, of 
insoluble residue. 

Preparation. 

Linimentum Saponis Mollis. — Liniment of Soft Soap. Syn- 
onym. — Tinctura Saponis Viridis. Soft Soap, 650; Oil of Lavender 
Flowers, 20; Alcohol, 300 ; water to 1000. By filtration ] 

Action and Therapeutics. 

External. — Olive oil is used to facilitate the rubbing of 
parts; for this purpose it is employed in massage. It is a com- 
mon soothing protective to burns and may be mixed with poul- 
tices to prevent their adhering to the skin. If rubbed in vigor- 
ously, it can be absorbed through the epidermis, and might be 
thus used as a food when nourishment cannot be given by the 
mouth. 

Internal. — For its soothing protective qualities it may be 
swallowed after corrosive poisons have been taken. It is an excel- 
lent mild laxative, and can be given with food for this purpose. 
Some persons like it, with others it excites nausea and vomiting. 
An olive oil enema (olive oil, 4 fi. 5 ; warm mucilage of starch, 8 
fl. Ij), or a soap enema (soap, y 2 1; warm water, 16 fl. 5), is 
often used to open the bowels when a mild non-irritating injec- 
tion is required. Large doses of olive oil are said to facilitate the 
expulsion of gall-stones, but this is very doubtful. 

Olive oil is a food, but it is not often used in this country as 
such. The history of fats and oils in the body is discussed in 
works on physiology. 



GLYCERIN. 5 I 3 

[CHONDRUS. 

CHONDRUS. Synonym. — Irish Moss, Carragheen. Chondrus 
crispus Stackhouse, and Gigartina mamillosa J. Agardh (class Algce). Hab- 
itat. — Atlantic Ocean. 

Characters. — Yellowish or white, horny, translucent; many-times 
forked; when softened in water, cartilaginous; shape of the segments varying 
from wedge-shaped to linear; at the apex emarginate or two-lobed. It has a 
slight sea-weed odor, and a mucilaginous, somewhat saline taste. 

Composition. — (i) Mucilaginous Compounds. (2) Albuminoids. (3) 
Chlorides, sulphates and phosphates, with traces of bromides and iodides. 
Dose, 2 to 4 dr. 

Uses. 

Irish Moss is not only a demulcent but as well is a useful 
article of diet.] 

GLYCERINUM. 

GLYCERIN. 

Source — [A liquid obtained by the decomposition of vegetable or animal 
fats or fixed oils [see p. 13), and containing not less than 95 per cent, of 
absolute Glycerin, C 3 H 5 (0 1-1)3=91.79. 

Characters. — A clear, colorless liquid, of a thick, syrupy consistence, 
oily to the touch, odorless, very sweet and slightly warm to the taste. When 
exposed to the air, it slowly abstracts moisture. Sp. gr., not less than 1 250. 
Solubility — In all proportions, in water or Alcohol; also soluble in a mixture 
of 3 parts of Alcohol and 1 part of Ether, but insoluble in Ether, Chloroform, 
Carbon Disulphide, Benzin, Benzol, and fixed or volatile oils.] 

Dose, 5 to 60 m. 

Preparations. 

1. [Glyceritum Amyli. — Glycerite of Starch. Starch, 10; water, 
10; Glycerin, 80. 

Dose, freely. 

2. Glyceritum Vitelli. — Glycerite of yolk of egg. Synonym. — 
Glyconin. Fresh yolk of egg, 45; Glycerin, 55. 

Dose, freely. 

3. Suppositoria Glycerini. — Suppositories of Glycerin. Glycerin, 
60; Sodium Carbonate, 3; Stearic Acid, 5. By solution with heat, 
pouring into ten moulds, and wrapping in tin-foil, when cold. 

Dose, as required. 

Glycerin is contained in Mucilago Tragacanthse, Massa Hydrargyri, 
Pilulae Phosphori, and in many extracts and fluid extracts.] 
44 



5 14 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Action. 

External. — As glycerin is an excellent solvent for numerous 
[substances], such as iodine, bromine, alkalies, tannic acid, many- 
neutral salts, alkaloids, salicin, &c„ it is a good vehicle for ap- 
plying these substances to the skin and to sores. It does not 
evaporate nor turn rancid, and is powerfully hygroscopic. 

Internal. — In man the only visible effect produced by its 
administration is purging. This occurs with quite small doses 
if it is given by the rectum, but large doses are necessary if given 
by the mouth. It is absorbed from the alimentary canal, and is 
to a slight extent a food, for some of it is oxidized in the body. 
Sometimes its administration leads to the appearance in the urine 
of a body which reduces cupric oxide and gives the fermentation 
test for sugar. There has been much dispute as to whether 
glycerin can control nitrogenous metabolism, but it appears that 
it cannot in any way save the waste of nitrogenous tissues. It 
probably has some influence on the amount of glycogen in the 
liver. It has also been thought to prevent artificial glycosuria, 
but this is doubtful. 

Very large doses in animals cause the urine to be dark from 
the presence of the coloring matter of the blood, although there 
are no corpuscles in it ; they also lead to loss of muscular 
strength, lethargy, dryness of mucous membranes, collapse and 
death. 

Therapeutics. 

External. — Glycerin is much employed as a basis for appli- 
cations to the skin and the eye. It is commonly used for 
chapped hands and slight excoriations. It is readily absorbed 
when rubbed into the skin, therefore it is a convenient vehicle for 
the absorption of substances by the skin. [Atropine] mixed with 
glycerin is often rubbed in when we desire its local anodyne 
action (see p. 310). 

Internal. — As glycerin is sweet it is an excellent flavoring 
agent. It is demulcent, and is used as a vehicle for applying 
substances, such as tannic acid to the throat. It is rarely given 
by the mouth for anv medicinal virtue. It has been administered 



OLEIC ACID. 515 

for dyspepsia, for diabetes, and as a nutritive agent, but in each 
case without any good result. One to two fluid drachms injected 
up the rectum, or a glycerin suppository, form an excellent means 
of opening the bowels in simple constipation, especially when" the 
faeces are in the sigmoid flexure and rectum. The result is 
prompt, often occurring within less than half an hour. No pain 
nor constitutional disturbance is produced. 

ACIDUM OLEICUM. 

'- OLEIC ACID.— HC ]8 H 33 2 [=28i.38. 

Source. — An organic acid, prepared in a sufficiently pure condition by 
cooling commercial Oleic Acid to about 41 F., then separating and preserving 
the liquid portion.] In the case [that it is obtained from] Olive Oil the reac- 
tion is C s H 5 (C 18 H 33 2 ) 3 + 3 H 2 0= 3 HC 18 H 33 2 -f C 3 H 5 (OH) 3 (Glycerin). 

Characters. — A [yellowish or brownish-yellow, oily liquid, having a 
peculiar, lard -like odor and taste; becoming darker and absorbing Oxygen on 
exposure to air. It becomes semi-solid at 40 F. Sp. gr., about 0.900. Solu- 
bility. — Insoluble in water; soluble in Alcohol, Chloroform, Benzol, Benzin, 
Oil of Turpentine, and fixed and volatile oils.] 

Impurities. — It is rarely pure, usually containing Stearic and Palmitic 
Acids. 

[It is used to prepare Oleatum Hydrargyri, Oleatum Veratrinae, and Olea- 
tum Zinci.] There is some doubt whether the pharmacopoeial oleates are 
chemical combinations or simple solutions. 

Lead Plaster contains Lead Oleate. 

Action and Therapeutics. 

Oleic acid is used as a solvent for remedies which it is desired 
to apply by means of cutaneous inunction, for it more readily 
penetrates the skin than fats and oils. 

[ALTHAEA. 

ALTH^)A. Synonym. — Marshmallow. The root of Althcea officinalis 
Linne (nat. ord. Malvacece). Habitat. — Europe, Western and Northern Asia; 
naturalized in the Eastern United States and in Australia, in salt marshes ; 
cultivated in Europe. 

Characters. — In cylindrical or somewhat conical pieces, from 10 to 15 
cm. long, 10 to 15 mm. in diameter, deeply wrinkled; deprived of the brown, 
corky layer and small roots; externally white, marked with a number of 
circular spots, and of a somewhat hairy appearance from the loosened bast- 



5 l6 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

fibres ; internally whitish and fleshy. It breaks with a short, granular, and 
mealy fracture, has a faint, aromatic odor, and a sweetish, mucilaginous taste. 

Composition. — (i) Asparagin, \ per cent. (2) Mucilage, 35 per cent. 
(3) Sugar, 8 per cent. (4) Pectin, 10 per cent. 

Preparation. 

Syrupus Althaeae. — Syrup of Althaea. Althaea, 50; Alcohol, 30; 
Glycerin, 100 ; Sugar, 700 ; water to iooo. 
Dose, freely. 

Uses. 
Marshmallow is used as a demulcent, for irritation and in- 
flammation of mucous membranes.] 

AMYGDALA. 
AMYGDALA AMARA.— Bitter Almond. The seed of Prumis 
Amygdahts, var. amara [De Candolle (nat. ord Rosacece). Habitat. — Western 
Asia; naturalized in the Mediterranean basin ; cultivated. 

Characters. — About 25 mm. long, oblong-lanceolate, flattish, covered 
with a cinnamon-brown, scurfy testa, marked by about sixteen lines emanating 
from a broad scar at the blunt end. The embryo has the shape of the seed, is 
white, oily, consists of two plano-convex cotyledons, and a short radicle at the 
pointed end, and has a bitter taste. When triturated with water, Bitter 
Almond yields a milk-white emulsion, which emits an odor of Hydrocyanic 
Acid.] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Oleum Amygdalce Ex- 
pressum [see p. 517), 45 per cent., the same fixed oil as in the sweet variety. 
(2) Emulsin. (3) Amygdalitis [C 20 H 2T NO U ], which yields Oleum Amygdalce 
Amarce. This oil does not exist in the bitter almond, but it is obtained by 
distilling them with water. It is very important to distinguish it from the 
Oleum A my gd a lee Expressum, which is harmless, but the oil of bitter almond 
is usually very poisonous from admixture of [Hydrocyanic] Acid ; for if moisture 
has had access to the gluco^ide Amygdalin,on which, in the presence of water, 
the emulsin in the almond acts as a ferment, the [volatile] oil of bitter 
almond, glucose and [Hydrocyanic] Acid are formed, C 20 H 27 NO u -j-2H 2 O— [C 7 
H 6 0] (the volatile oil) -f HCN+2C 6 H 12 6 . The oil when separated from 
the [Hydrocyanic] Acid is not poisonous, and is used to flavor sweets. An 
artificial oil of bitter almond called Nitrobenzol is often substituted, and has 
caused death. 

Bitter Almond is used in Syrupus Amygdalae. 

[OLEUM AMYGDALA AMARiE.- Oil of Bitter Almond. 
Source. — A volatile oil obtained from Bitter Almond by maceration with 
water, and subsequent distillation. 



ALMOND. 517 

Characters. — A clear, colorless or yellowish, thin, and strongly refrac- 
tive liquid, having a peculiar, aromatic odor, and a bitter and burning taste. 
Sp. gr. , 1.060 to 1.070. Boiling point, about 356 F. Optically inactive. 
Solubility. — In 300 parts of water, and in Alcohol or Ether in all propor- 
tions ; also soluble in Nitric Acid at ordinary temperatures without the evolu- 
tion of nitrous vapors. 

Dose, Ye to )/ 2 m. 

Preparations. 

1. Aqua Amygdalae Amarae. — Bitter Almond Water. Oil of 
Bitter Almond, 1 ; distilled water, 999. By solution and filtration. 

Dose, 2 to 4 fi. dr. 

2. Spiritus Amygdalae Amarae. — Spirit of Bitter Almond. 
Synonym. — Essence of Bitter Almond. Oil of Bitter Almond, 10; 
Alcohol, 800; distilled water, to 1000. 

Dose, 15 to 45 m.] 

AMYGDALA DULCIS.— Sweet Almond. Synonym.— Jordan Al- 
mond. [The seed of Prunus Amygdalus, var. dulcis De Candolle (nat. ord. 
Rosacea) . Habitat. — Western Asia; naturalized in the Mediterranean basin; 
cultivated. 

Characters. — Closely resembling the bitter almond (see Amygdala 
Atnara), but having a bland, sweetish taste, free from rancidity. When 
triturated with water, it yields a milk-white emulsion, free from the odor of 
Hydrocyanic Acid.] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Oleum Amygdala Ex- 
pressum [see below), 56 per cent., a fixed oil. (2) Emulsin and other albu- 
minous bodies. 

Impurity. — The bitter almond, giving an odor of Prussic Acid when 
rubbed with water. 

barations. 



[1. Emulsum Amygdalae. Synonyms. — Mistura Amygdalae, 
Milk of Almond. Sweet Almond, 60; Acacia, 10; Sugar, 30; dis- 
tilled water, 1000. 

Dose, indeterminate. 

2. Syrupus Amygdalae. — Syrup of Almond. Sweet Almond, 
140; Bitter Almond, 40; Sugar, 200; Orange Flower Water, 100; 
Water, 130; Syrup to 1000. 

Dose, indeterminate.] 

OLEUM AMYGDALA [EXPRESSUM.— Expressed Oil of 
Almond. 

Source. — A fixed oil expressed from Bitter or Sweet Almond. 



5 1 8 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Characters. — A clear, pale straw-colored or colorless, oily liquid, 
almost inodorous, and having a mild, nutty taste. Sp. gr., 0.915 to 0.920. 
Solubility. — Only slightly soluble in Alcohol ; soluble in Ether and in Chloro- 
form in all proportions. 

Dose, 1 to 4 fl. dr. 

Expressed Oil of Almond is contained in Unguentum Aquas Rosse.] 

Action and Therapeutics. 

The sweet almond is demulcent. Its most important medi- 
cinal use is that it is made into flour to replace starchy food in 
cases of diabetes. Biscuits are made of the flour. These are 
very palatable, are a good nutritive food, and contain very little 
starch. The only objection to them is their price. With a little 
care they can be made at home. The flour of other nuts, as 
Brazil nuts, has been used, but it is not nearly so palatable. The 
almond emulsion is a very pleasant vehicle for the suspension 
of insoluble substances, and the powdered almond is a palatable 
basis for powders. 

Oleum Amygdalae Expressum might be used for the same 
purposes as olive oil. It is pleasanter, but very expensive. 

TRAGACANTHA. 

TRAGACANTH. — A gummy exudation from [Astragalus gummifer 
Labillardiere, and from other species of Astragalus (nat. ord. Leguminosce). 
Habitat. — Western Asia. 

Characters. — In narrow or broad bands, more or less curved or con- 
torted, marked by parallel lines or ridges, white or faintly yellowish, translu- 
cent, horn-like, tough, and rendered more easily pulverizable by a heat of 
122° F. Veiy sparingly soluble in cold water, but swells into a gelatinous 
mass, which is tinged violet (not so deep as the color given by starch) by 
tincture of iodine.] Resembling Tragacanth. — Squill, which is thicker and 
opaque. 

Impurities. — Other gums. 

Composition.— The chief constituents are — (1) Bassorin, C 6 H 10 O 5 , a gum 
^ per cent., only slightly soluble in water, unfermentable. (2) A Calcium 
compound of a gummic acid, not identical with Arabic Acid. (3) A little 
starch. 

[ Tragacanth is contained in several troches. 



ACACIA. 519 

Preparation. 

Mucilago Tragacanthae. — Mucilage of Tragacanth. Tragacanth, 
6; Glycerin, 18; water to 100. By heating, maceration and straining. 
Dose, indeterminate.] 

Action and Therapeutics. 

Tragacanth is a demulcent, and as such maybe soothing when 
applied to a sore throat. Its chief use is to suspend insoluble 
bodies as resins, oils, and insoluble powders. 

ACACIA. 

[ACACIA. Synonym. — Gum Arabic. A gummy exudation from Acacia 
Senegal Willdenow (nat. ord. Leguminosce). Habitat. — Eastern Africa, prin- 
cipally Kordofan; Western Africa, near the river Senegal. 

Characters. — In roundish tears of various sizes, or broken into angular 
fragments, with a glass-like, sometimes irridescent fracture, opaque from 
numerous fissures, but transparent and nearly colorless in thin pieces; nearly 
inodorous ; taste insipid, mucilaginous ; insoluble in Alcohol, but soluble in 
water, forming a thick, mucilaginous liquid. Solubility. — Slowly but com- 
pletely soluble in 2 parts of water ; insoluble in Alcohol.] 

Composition. — The chief constituent is Arabin, or Arabic Acid, C ]2 H 22 
O n ; combined with Calcium, Magnesium and Potassium. 

Impurities. — Starch, Gum Resins. 

Incompatiules. — Alcohol, Sulphuric Acid, Borax, Ferric Salts and Lead 
Subacetate. 

[Acacia is contained in Emulsum Amygdalae, Pulvis Cretse Compositus, 
and in some Trochisci. 

Preparations. 

1. Mucilago Acaciae. — Mucilage of Acacia. Acacia, 340; 
water to 1 000. 

Dose, freely. 

Mucilage of Acacia is contained in Mistura Glycyrrhizse Composita. 

2. Syrupus Acaciae. — Syrup of Acacia. Mucilage of Acacia, 25 ; 
Syrup, 75. 

Dose, freely.] 

Action and Therapeutics. 

Acacia is demulcent. It is used to suspend insoluble sub- 
stances, as oils, resins, and insoluble powders. A fluid ounce 
of most oils or resinous tinctures requires 3 fl. 3 of mucilage of 



520 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

acacia for suspension, but copaiba requires 10 fl. 3. A disadvan- 
tage of it is that it is liable to ferment and decompose. It may 
give rise to indigestion and diarrhoea. 

ULMUS. 

[ELM. Synonym. — Slippery Elm. The inner bark of Ulmus fulva 
Michaux (nat. ord. Urticacea). Habitat. — North America, west to Louisiana 
and Nebraska, in woods. 

Characters. — In flat pieces, varying in length and width, about 3 mm. 
thick, tough, pale brownish-white, the inner surface finely ridged; fracture 
fibrous and mealy ; the transverse section delicately checkered ; odor slight, 
peculiar ; taste mucilaginous, insipid. 

Composition. — It contains mostly Mucilage. 

Preparation. 

Mucilago Ulmi. — Mucilage of Elm. Elm, 6; boiling water, 100. 
By digestion and straining. 
Dose, freely. 

Action and Uses. 

Slippery Elm bark is an excellent demulcent. It is especi- 
ally recommended in dysentery, diarrhoea and diseases of the 

urinary passages.] 

GLYCYRRHIZA. 

GLYCYRRHIZA. [Synonym.— Liquorice Root. The root of Gly- 
cyrrhiza glabra Linne, and of the variety glandulifera ( Waldstein et Kittaibel) 
Regel et Herder (nat. ord. Leguminosce). Habitat. — Southern Europe and 
Western Asia; cultivated. 

Characters. — In long, cylindrical pieces, from 5 to 25 mm. thick, 
longitudinally wrinkled, externally grayish-brown, warty; internally tawny- 
yellow; pliable, tough; fracture coarsely fibrous; bark rather thick; wood 
porous, but dense, in narrow wedges ; medullary rays linear ; taste sweet, 
somewhat acrid. The underground stem, which is often present, has the same 
appearance, but contains a thin pith. The drug derived from the variety 
glandulifera (so-called Russian Liquorice), consists usually of roots or root- 
branches, I to 4 cm. thick, 15 to 30 cm. long, frequently deprived of the 
corky layer, the wood rather soft, and usually more or less cleft.] Resembling 
Liquorice. — Pyrethrum and Taraxacum, which are not sweet. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Glycyrrhizin [C 24 H 36 
9 , about 6 per cent.], a yellow amorphous glucoside, probably in combination 
with Ammonia. With acids this yields a very bitter substance, glycyrrhetin, and 



LIQUORICE ROOT. 521 

glucose. (2) Asparagin, [about 3 per cent. (3) Resin.] (4) Grape Sugar, 
Starch, Gum, Malic Acid, etc. 

Preparations. 

1. Extractum Glycyrrhizae, — [Extract of Glycyrrhiza. Synonym. 
— Extract of Liquorice. 

Characters. — In flattened, cylindrical rolls, from 15 to 18 cm. 
long, and from 15 to 30 mm. thick; of a glossy, black color. It 
breaks with a sharp, conchoidal, shining fracture, and has a very sweet, 
peculiar taste. Not less than 60 per cent, of it should be soluble in 
cold water. 

Dose, freely. 

Extract of Glycyrrhiza is contained in Trochisci Ammonii 
Chloridi and Trochisci Glycyrrhizse et Opii. 

2. Extractum Glycyrrhizae Purum. — Pure Extract of Gly- 
cyrrhiza. By maceration and percolation with Water of Ammonia and 
distilled water, and evaporation. 

Dose, freely. 

Pure Extract of Glycyrrhiza is used to make Mistura Glycyrrhizae 
Composita. 

3. Extractum Glycyrrhizae] Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Gly- 
cyrrhiza. By maceration and percolation with Water of Ammonia, 
Alcohol and water, and evaporation. 

Dose, 1 fl. dr. 

4. Glycyrrhizinum Ammoniatum. — Ammoniated Glycyrrhizin. 
Source. — Glycyrrhiza, by maceration and percolation with Water 

of Ammonia and water ; precipitation with Sulphuric Acid, solution 
with Water of Ammonia, and drying. 

Characters. — Dark brown or brownish-red scales, without odor, 
and having a very sweet taste. Solubility. — Readily in water and in 
Alcohol . 

Dose, 5 to 15 gr. 

5. Pulvis Glycyrrhizae Compositus. See Senna, p. 415. 

6. Mistura Glycyrrhizae Composita. — Compound Mixture of 
Glycyrrhiza. Synonym. — Brown Mixture. Pure Extract of Glycy- 
rrhiza, 30; sugar, 50; Mucilage of Acacia, 100; Camphorated Tincture 
of Opium, 120; Wine of Antimony, 60; Spirit of Nitrous Ether, 30; 
water, to 1000. # 

Dose, 1 to 4 fl. dr.] 



522 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Liquorice or its preparations are contained in many preparations, generally 
to cover their nauseous taste. They [conceal] very well that of Aloes, [Rhamnus 
Purshiana], Ammonium Chloride, Hyoscyamus, Senega, Senna, Turpentine, 
and bitter sulphates, as Quinine Sulphate. 

Action and Therapeutics. 

Liquorice is an excellent demulcent for sore throats. It is 

used to conceal the taste of nasty medicines, and as a basis for 

pills. The compound liquorice powder is laxative by virtue of its 

senna. 

LINUM. 

[LINSEED. Synonym. — Flaxseed. The seed of Linumusitatissimum 
Linne (nat. ord. Linece). Habitat. — Levant and Southern Europe ; cultivated 
and spontaneous in most temperate countries. 

Characters. — About 4 or 5 mm. long; oblong-ovate, flattened, ob- 
liquely pointed at one end, brown, glossy, covered with a transparent, mucila- 
ginous epithelium, which swells considerably in water ; the embryo whitish or 
pale greenish, with two large, oily, plano-convex cotyledons, and a thin peri- 
sperm ; inodorous ; taste mucilaginous, oily and bitter. 

Composition. — (1) Fixed oil, 30 to 35 per cent, in the nucleus. (2 < 
Mucilage, 15 per cent, in the epithelium. (3) Proteids, 25 per cent. (4) 
Amygdalin, a minute quantity.] 

OLEUM LINI.— [Linseed Oil. Synonym.— Oil of Flaxseed. A fixed 
oil expressed from Linseed without the use of heat. 

Characters. — A yellowish or yellow, oily liquid, having a slight, pecu- 
liar odor, and a bland taste. When exposed to the air it gradually thickens, 
and acquires a strong odor and taste. Sp. gr., 0.930 to 0.940. Solubility. — 
In about 10 parts of Alcohol, and in all proportions in Ether, Chloroform, 
Benzin, Carbon Disulphide, or Oil of Turpentine.] 

Dose }i to 2 fl. oz. 

Action and Therapeutics. 

Linseed tea [linseed, 150 gr.; liquorice, 50 gr.; boiling water, 
10 fl. 3] is a common domestic demulcent; the large quantity of 
mucilage it contains forms a coating for the pharynx and mouth, 
and thus relieves cough due to sore throat. It is said to be 
slightly diuretic. 

A linseed poultice [4 to ro of boiling water] is a very com- 
mon means of applying warmth and moisture to a part. It is 



CETRARIA. 523 

used to relieve pain, and as a mild irritant to accelerate inflam- 
mation and the bursting of an abscess, or as a counter-irritant 
in all sorts of deep-seated inflammations. The poultices should 
not be too thick, and should be smeared with oil to prevent their 
sticking to the skin. 

Linseed oil is applied to burns. Mixed with an equal quan- 
tity of Solution of Lime it forms Carron Oil (Linimentum Calcis). 

CETRARIA. 

CETRARIA. Synonym. — Iceland Moss. Cetraria islandica [(Linne) 
Acharius (class Lichenes). Habitat. — Northern Hemisphere. 

Characters. — From 5 to 10 cm. long, foliaceous, irregularly branched 
into fringed and channelled lobes, brownish above, whitish beneath, and 
marked with small, depressed spots; brittle and inodorous ; when softened in 
water, cartilaginous, and having a slight odor ; its taste is mucilaginous and 
bitter.] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Lickenin, [C 12 H 20 O ]0 , 
and Tsolichenin^\ 70 per cent. (2) Cetraric Acid, [C 18 H 16 8 ], a bitter princi- 
ple, 2 per cent. [(3) Lichen- stearic Acid, C u H 34 3 , I percent. (4) Fumaric 
Acid. (5) Oxalic Acid. 

Impurities. — Pine leaves, mosses and other lichens.] 

Preparations. 

Decoctum Cetrariae. — [Decoction of Cetraria. Cetraria, 50. By 
boiling in water and straining to 1000.] 
Dose, 1 to 4 fl. oz. 

Action and Therapeutics. 

The decoction is demulcent, and may be given in sore throat. 
The moss is a food, but it is very seldom used. 



524 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

GROUP X. 

Vegetable drugs which are used to kill parasites. 

A. Anthelmintics for the various species of Tapeworm. 
[Aspidium,] Pomegranate, [Kousso,] Kamala, [Pepo]. 

B. Anthelmintics for the Roundworm (Ascaris lumbricoides) . 
Santonica, [Spigelia, Chenopodium]. 

C. Anthelmintics for the Threadzuorm (Oxyruis vermicularis). These 
are described under the head of astringents (see p. 500). 

D. Parasiticides used for Pediculi. 
Stavesacre, Picrotoxin. 

ASPIDIUM. 

[ASPIDIUM. Synonym. — Male Fern. The rhizome of Dryopteris 
Filix-mas Schott, and of Dryopteris marginalis Asa Gray (nat. ord. Filices). 
Habitat. — North America, Northern Asia, Europe. 

Characters. — From 5 to 15 cm. long, 10 to 25 mm. in thickness, and, 
together with the closely imbricated, dark brown, roundish, and slightly curved 
stipe-remnants, 50 to 75 mm. in diameter: densely covered with brown, glossy, 
transparent, and soft, chaffy scales ; internally pale green, rather spongy ; vas- 
cular bundles about ten (Dryopteris Filix-mas) or six (Dryopteris marginalis) 
in number, arranged in an interrupted circle ; odor slight, but disagreeable ; 
taste sweetish, acrid, somewhat bitter, astringent, and nauseous.] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Filicic acid, [C 35 H 42 0, 3 , a 
white, amorphous, crystalline body, said to be the active principle. (2) A 
fixed oil, 6 to 7 per cent. (3) Filicin, C 35 H 40 O 12 , a crystalline substance, 
soluble in Chloroform, Benzol and fixed and volatile oils. (4) Filix-red. 
(3) Resins. 

Dose, y z to \y z dr. 

Preparation. 

Oleoresina Aspidii. — Oleoresin of Aspidium. By percolation with 
Ether, distillation of the Ether, and evaporation. 
Dose, %. to 1 fl. dr.] 

Action and Therapeutics. 

[Aspidium] is the most certain anthelmintic for the tape- 
worm we have. It may be flavored with ginger or peppermint. 
The intestine should first be emptied with a little castor oil to 
ensure the worm not being protected by food. Then the [aspid- 
ium] should be administered, and about twelve hours afterwards 



POMEGRANATE, KOUSSO. 525 

another dose of castor oil should be given to clear away the dead 

worm. Very little food should be taken during the treatment, 

and the head of the worm should be carefully searched for in the 

motion. [Recently several cases of poisoning have been reported, 

presumably not due to an excessive dose, but to the fact that the 

oil was administered at the same time with it, notably increasing 

its absorption.] 

GRANATUM. 

[POMEGRANATE. -The bark of the stem and root of Punica 
Granatum Linne (nat. ord. Lythrariecz). Habitat. — India and Southwestern 
Asia; cultivated and naturalized in subtropical countries. 

Characters — In the quills or fragments, from 5 to 10 cm. long, and 
from 1 to 3 mm thick ; outer surface yellowish-gray, somewhat warty, or 
longitudinally and reticulately ridged ; the stem-bark often partly covered with 
blackish lichens; the thicker pieces of the root bark more or less scaly exter- 
nally; inner surface smooth, finely striate, grayish-yellow; fracture short, 
granular, greenish-yellow; indistinctly radiate; inodorous; taste astringent, 
very slightly bitter.] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — [(1) Punico-tannic Acid, 
C 20 H 16 O 13 , 20 per cent. (2) Pelletierine, C 8 H 13 NO, ]/ 2 per cent., a colorless, 
oily, aromatic alkaloid, soluble in water, Alcohol, Ether and Chloroform. 
(3) Three allied alkaloids.] 

Incompatibles. — Alkalies, Lime Water, Metallic Salts, Gelatin. 

Dose, j4 to i)4 dr. 

Action and Therapeutics. 

Pomegranate is a powerful astringent, and the decoction 
[B. P., 1 to 10] maybe used as a gargle for a sore throat. In large 
doses it is emetic and purgative. It is believed to be anthel- 
mintic for the tapeworm. It is usually said that the pelletierine 
[dose of tannate, 3 to 6 gr.] is the active anthelmintic principle ; 
but according to some the tapeworm is not killed, but is expelled 
by the purgative, by which a dose of the decoction is usually 
followed. 

cusso. 

KOUSSO. Synonym. — [Brayera. The female inflorescence of Hagenia 
abyssinica (Bruce) Gmelin (nat. ord. Rosacea'). Habitat. — Abyssinia. 

Characters. — In bundles, rolls, or compressed clusters, consisting of 
panicles about 25 cm. long, with a sheathing bract at the base of each branch ; 



526 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

the two roundish bracts at the base of each flower, and the four or five ob- 
ovate, outer sepals are of a reddish color, membranous and veiny; calyx top- 
shaped, hairy, enclosing two carpels or nutlets ; odor slight, fragrant and tea- 
like ; taste bitter, acrid, and nauseous. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Kosin or] Koussin, a 
neutral, active principle, [in yellow crystals, tasteless, soluble in Chloroform, 
Benzol, Ether and Alcohol ; insoluble in water. (2) Oil. (3) Gum. (4) Tan- 
nic Acid. 

Dose, 2 to 4 dr.] 

Preparation. 

[Extractum Cusso Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Kousso. Syn- 
onym. — Extractum Brayerae Fluidum. By maceration and percolation 
with Alcohol and evaporation. 

Dose, 1 to 4 fl. dr.] 

Action and Therapeutics. 

Kousso is used as an anthelmintic for all species of tape- 
worm. [Koussin has been given with good results. Dose, 20 to 
40 gr.] 

KAMALA. 

KAMALA. [Synonym. — Rottlera. The glands and hairs from the 
capsules of Mallotus philippinensis (Lamarck) Mueller Arg. (nat. ord. 
Euphorbiacece). Habitat. — India, China, Philipine Islands. 

Characters. — A granular, mobile, brick-red or brownish-red powder, 
inodorless and nearly tasteless, imparting a deep red color to alkaline liquids, 
Alcohol, Ether, or Chloroform, and a pale, yellow tinge to boiling water. 
Under the microscope it is seen to consist of stellately arranged, colorless 
hairs, mixed with depressed-globular glands, containing numerous red, club- 
shaped vesicles]. Solubility. — Insoluble in hot and cold water. Alcohol, 
Ether, or Chloroform forms deep red solutions.. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Rottlerin, [C 22 H 20 O 6 , a 
neutral principle in yellowish needles, soluble in hot Alcohol, in Ether, 
Benzol, and Carbon Disulphide. (2) Resins, nearly 80 per cent.] 

Dose, 1 to 2 dr. 

Action and Therapeutics. 

Kamala is an anthelmintic. It will kill the Tcenia solium, 
and probably also the Oxyuris vermicularis and the Ascaris 
lumbricoides. It is also purgative. 



PUMPKIN SEED, SANTONIN. 527 

[PEPO. 

PUMPKIN SEED.— The seed of Cucurbita Pepo Linne (nat. ord. 
Cucurbitacece). Habitat. — Tropical Asia and America ; cultivated. 

Characters. — About 2 cm. long, broadly-ovate, flat, white or whi- 
tish, nearly smooth, with a shallow groove parallel to the edge ; containing 
a short, conical radicle and two flat cotyledons ; inodorous ; taste bland and 
oily. 

Composition. — (1) Fixed oil, 44 per cent. (2) Proteids (Myosin and 
Vitellin). (3) Acrid Resin. 

Dose, 1 to 3 oz. 

Uses. 

Pepo administered as an emulsion is one of the most efficient 
and harmless taeniafuges.] 

SANTONICA. 

SANTONICA. [Synonym. — Levant Wormseed. The unexpanded 
flower-heads of Artemisia paucijiora Weber (nat. ord. Composite). Habitat. — 
Turkestan. 

Characters. — From 2 to 4 mm. long, oblong-ovoid, obtuse, smooth, 
somewhat glossy, grayish green, after exposure to light brownish-green, consist- 
ing of an involucre of about 12 to 18 closely imbricated, glandular scales with 
a broad midrib, enclosing four or five rudimentary florets ; odor strong, peculiar, 
somewhat camphoraceous ; taste aromatic and bitter.] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Santonin {q. v.). (2) 
A volatile oil, 2 per cent., [consisting mainly of Cineol, C 10 H 18 O.] 

Dose, 15 to 60 gr. 

SANTONINUM.— Santonin. C 15 H 18 3 [= 245.43. A neutral prin- 
ciple obtained from Santonica. 

Source. — By exhausting Santonica mixed with lime, with diluted Alcohol, 
distilling off the Alcohol and adding Acetic Acid to the residue. The precipi- 
tated Santonin is purified by dissolving it in Alcohol, treating with Animal 
Charcoal, and crystallizing. 

Characters. — Colorless, shining, flattened, prismatic crystals, odorless 
and nearly tasteless when fii'st put in the mouth, but afterwards developing a 
bitter taste ; not altered by exposure to air, but turning yellow on exposure to 
light. Solubility. — Nearly insoluble in water ; soluble in 40 parts of Alcohol ; 
also soluble in 140 parts of Ether, in 4 parts of Chloroform, and in solutions of 
Caustic Alkalies.] 

Dose, X to I S T - ( cn ild)> 1 to 5 gr. (adult). 



ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 



Preparation. 



Trochisci Santonini. - [Troches of Santonin. Santonin, 3 ; sugar, 
no; Tragacanth, 3 gtn. ; Stronger Orange Flower water, to make 100 
troches. Each troche contains l / 2 gr. 

Dose, 2 (child), to 10 troches (adult).] 

Action. 

Santonin is anthelmintic, killing the roundworm, As- 
ian's lumbricoides, and according to some authorities the Oxyuris 
vermicularis, but this is doubtful. It has no action on tapeworms, 
as santonin is absorbed as sodium santoninate. Medicinal doses 
will usually cause the urine, if it is acid, to be a greenish-yellow 
or saffron color, and if it is alkaline to be purplish red. This 
is due to the excretion in that fluid of some substance resulting 
from the changes undergone by santonin in the body. It is 
slightly diuretic. Often even small doses lead to xanthopsy 
— that is to say, everything the patient sees has a yellow tint ; 
probably this is the result of the staining of the tissues of the 
eye yellow. 

Several cases of fatal poisoning by santonin are on record. 
Cerebral symptoms are very prominent. Thus convulsions, ac- 
companied by unconsciousness, trismus, and dilated pupils, are 
generally present. The surface becomes cold, there is sweating, 
there may be trembling, the pulse and respiration become weaker 
and weaker, and death takes place from cardiac and respiratory 
failure. The sodium salt [no longer official] is especially dan- 
gerous. 

Therapeutics. 

Santonin is used solely to kill intestinal worms. It should be 
given on an empty stomach, and should be followed in two hours 
by a purgative, such as calomel, which acts on the small intestine, 
for this is the part inhabited by the worms killed by santonin. 
It is certainly very efficacious for the Ascaris lumbricoides. As 
already mentioned, probably it has no effect on the Oxyuris 
vermicularis. 



SPIGELIA, CHENOPODIUM. 529 

[SPIGELIA. 

SPIGELIA. Synonym. — Pinkroot. The rhizome and roots of Spigelia 
marilandica Linne (nat. ord. Loganiacece). Habitat. — Southern United 
States; westward to Texas and Wisconsin, in rich woods. 

Characters. — Of horizontal growth, about 5 cm. or more long, 2 or 3 
mm. thick, dark purplish brown, bent, somewhat branched, on the upper side 
with cup-shaped scars ; on the lower side with numerous, thin, brittle, lighter- 
colored roots, about 10 cm. long; the rhizome internally with a whitish wood 
and a pith which is usually dark-colored or decayed; odor somewhat aroma- 
tic ; taste sweetish, bitter and pungent. Resembling Spigelia root. — Phlox 
Carolina^ but the rootlets are brownish-yellow, rather coarse, straight, and 
contain a straw-colored wood underneath a readily removable bark. 

Composition. — (1) Spigelene, a volatile alkaloid. (2) A little volatile 
oil. (3) Bitter principle. (4) Resin. 

Dose, % to 2 dr. 

Preparation. 

Extractum Spigeliae Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Spigelia. 
By maceration and percolation with diluted Alcohol, and evaporation. 
Dose, % to 2 fl. dr. 

Uses. 

Spigelia is one of the most powerful anthelmintics. It may- 
give rise to symptoms of narcotic poisoning, which, however, 
may be obviated by its combination with a cathartic like senna. 

CHENOPODIUM. 

CHENOPODIUM. Synonym. — American Wormseed. The fruit of 
Chenopodium ambrosioides Linn£, and variety anthelminticum Gray (nat. ord. 
Chenopodiacece) . Habitat — West Indies and Central America; naturalized in 
the United States. 

Characters. — Nearly 2 mm. in diameter, depressed-globular, glandular, 
dull greenish or brownish, the integuments friable, and containing a lenticular, 
obtusely-edged, glossy, black seed. It has a peculiar, somewhat terebinthinate 
odor, and a bitterish, pungent taste. 

Composition. — It is composed chiefly of a volatile oil, consisting of 
(i) a hydrocarbon, C 10 H 16 and (2) a liquid oxygenated oil, C 10 H 16 O. 

Dose, 15 to 30 gr. 

OLEUM CHENOPODII. — Oil of Chenopodium. Synonym.— Oil 
of American Wormseed. A volatile oil distilled from Chenopodium. 

Characters. — A thin colorless or yellowish liquid, having a peculiar, 
45 



530 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

penetrating, somewhat camphor aceous odor, and a pungent and bitterish taste. 
Sp. gr., about 0.970. 
Dose, 2 to 10 m. 

Action and Uses. 

Wormseed is one of the most efficient anthelmintics, particu- 
larly against Ascarides, but it should be followed by a cathartic. 

STAPHISAGRIA. 

STAPHISAGRIA. [Synonym. — Stavesacre. The seed of Delphinium 
Staphisagria Linne (nat, ord. Ranunculacece) . Habitat. — Basin of the Med- 
iterranean ; cultivated. 

Characters. — About 5 mm. long, 3 or 4 mm. broad, flattish-tetrahedral, 
one side convex, brown or brownish-gray, with reticulate ridges, containing a 
whitish, oily albumen and a straight embryo ; nearly inodorous ; taste bitter and 
acrid.] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Delphinine, [a white 
crystalline alkaloid, soluble in Alcohol, Ether and Chloroform, resembling 
Aconite in its action. (2) Delphinoidine, an amorphous alkaloid, solubility 
as of Delphinine. (3) Delpkisine, a crystalline alkaloid of the same solu- 
bility. (4) Staphisain. (5) Fixed oil, 25 per cent]. 

Action and Therapeutics. 

[Staphisagria] is only used as a parasiticide to kill pediculi. 
The affected part is rubbed with the ointment, 1 to 2 of ben- 
zoinated lard, which, in the case of pediculi vestimentorum, is 
allowed to soak, day and night, into the garments next to the 
skin, for the parasite inhabits them. 

PICROTOXINUM. 

PICROTOXIN.— C 30 H 34 O 13 [rt=6oo.58. A neutral principle obtained 
from the seed of Anamirta paniculata Colebrooke (nat. ord. Menisp&rmacece). 
Habitat. — East India. 

Source. — Obtained by exhaustion with hot Alcohol, evaporation and 
purification by recrystallization, after decolorizing with Animal Charcoal. 

Characters. — Colorless, flexible, shining, prismatic crystals, or a micro- 
crystalline powder, odorless, and having a very bitter taste ; permanent in the 
air. Solubility. — Soluble in 240 parts of water, and in 9 parts of Alcohol; 
also soluble in solutions of the alkalies, and in acids. Very slightly soluble in 
Ether or Chloroform.] 

Dose, xht to bV gr. 



UVA URSI. 531 

Action. 

External. — Picrotoxin is very destructive to lower forms of 
life, and is therefore antiparasitic. 

Internal. — It is a powerful poison, causing convulsions, 
hyperpyrexia and stimulation of the respiratory centre. Its mode 
of action is unknown. 

Therapeutics. 

External.— An ointment of 80 gr. of the seeds to 1 oz. of 
lard has been applied to the scalp to kill pediculi, It must be 
employed with caution, for this strong poison can be absorbed if 
the skin be broken, it is an expensive ointment. 

Internal. — Picrotoxin is used empirically, to check the 
night sweating of phthisis. A single dose should be given in 
the evening. Its action is uncertain, but sometimes it succeeds 
Many other diseases have been treated with it, but there is no 
evidence that it has benefited them. [Tablets,] each containing 
-3-i-Q of a grain, are prepared for subcutaneous injection. One 
should be dissolved in a few minims of water immediately 
before use. 



GROUP XI. 

Vegetable drugs apparently having only a diuretic 

action. 

Uva Ursi, Scoparius, [Apocynum, Zea, Triticum, Marrubium.] 
UVA URSI. 

UVA URSI. Synonym. — Bearberry. The [leaves of Arctostaphylos 
Uva Ursi (Linn6) Sprengel (nat. ord. Ericacece). Habitat. — Northern Hemi- 
sphere, in dry and sandy or rocky places ; in the United States, South to Penn- 
sylvania, New Mexico, and California. 

Characters. — Very short-stalked, obovate or oblong-spatulate, coria- 
ceous, from 15 to 20 mm. long, and 5 to 8 mm. broad, obtuse, slightly revolute 
on the margin, upper surface with depressed veins ; lower surface distinctly 
reticulate; odor faint, hay-like; taste strongly astringent, and somewhat bitter- 
Resembling Uva Ursi. — Senna and Buchu {see p. 480).] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Arbutin, C 12 H 16 7 , a 



532 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

bitter crystalline glucoside yielding glucose, hydrochinon and methyl-hydro- 

chinon. (2) Ericolin, [C 10 H 16 O, a bitter crystalline glucoside. (3) Ursone, a 

tasteless neutral body. (4) Tannin, 6 to 7 per cent. 

Incompatibles. — Iron, lead and silver salts, alkaloids, and Gelatin. 

Dose, X to J dr -] 

Preparations. 

[1. Extractum Uvae Ursi. — Extract of Uva Ursi. By macera- 
tion and percolation with Alcohol and water, and evaporation. 

Dose, 5 to 15 gr. 

2. Extractum Uvae Ursi Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Uva Ursi. 
By maceration and percolation with Glycerin, Alcohol and water, and 
evaporation. 

Dose, # to 1 fl. dr.] 

Action. 
Uva Ursi is a well-marked diuretic, and is astringent and 
disinfectant to the urinary mucous membrane. Its dis- 
infectant action is probably due to the decomposition of the arbu- 
tin into glucose and hydrochinon, for after Uva Ursi is given 
this substance is found in the urine, and it is a very energetic 
antiseptic. This decomposition must take place in the kidneys, 
for hydrochinon is a powerful poison. Against this being the 
reason of the disinfectant action of Uva Ursi, it is urged that 
giving arbutin does not disinfect the urine; but others deny this, 
and the probability is that the first-mentioned view is correct. 
Arbutin is a powerful diuretic. The urine may be a pale greenish 
to dark greenish-brown color. Hydrochinon is also found in the 
urine in carbolic acid poisoning {see p. 277). The astringent 
action of Uva Ursi on the urinary tract is usually ascribed to the 
tannic acid; but as it is not a remote astringent, this is most likely 
wrong. 

Therapeutics. 

Uva Ursi is given to disinfect the urine in the same class of 
cases as buchu — that is to say, in pyelitis, cystitis and gonorrhoea. 

SCOPARIUS. 
SCOPARIUS. Synonym. — Broom. The tops of Cytisus Scoparius 
[(Linne) Link (nat. ord. Leguminosce). Habitat. — Western Asia, Southern 
and Western Europe; naturalized in some localities in the United States. 



CANADIAN HEMP. 533 

Characters. — In thin, flexible, branched twigs, pentangular, winged, 
dark green, nearly smooth, tough, usually free from leaves; odor peculiar when 
bruised; taste disagreeably bitter.] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (i) Scoparin, C 21 H 22 O ]0 , a 
[tasteless, amorphous, neutral principle, said to be diuretic. (2) Sparteine, 
C 15 H 26 N 2 , a colorless, oily, very bitter alkaloid [see p. 362). (3) Tannin. 

Dose, % to 1 dr.] 

Preparation. 

[Extractum Scoparii Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Scoparius. 
By maceration and percolation with diluted Alcohol, and evaporation. 
Dose, X to x fl - dr -] 

Action. 

Broom has no external action, and very little beyond the fact 
that it is diuretic is known about its internal action. 

Therapeutics. 

Broom is a very useful diuretic. It is usually given in com- 
bination with other diuretics in cases of dropsy from heart disease 
or interstitial nephritis. If there is acute renal inflammation it 
should not be prescribed. 

[APOCYNUM. 

APOCYNUM. Synonym. — Canadian Hemp. The root of Apocynum 
cannabinum Linne" (nat. ord. Apocynacece). Habitat — United States, on the 
border of thickets and in grassy places. 

Characters. — Long, cylindrical, somewhat branched, 5 to 10 mm. thick, 
gray or brownish- gray, longitudinally wrinkled and transversely fissured ; 
brittle ; fracture short, white; the bark rather thick; the wood porous, spongy, 
with delicate, medullary rays ; inodorous ; taste bitter, disagreeable. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) An amorphous, resinous 
substance, apocynin. (2) A glucoside, Apocynein, soluble in water. 

Dose, 10 to 20 gr. (emetic) 2 to 5 gr. (alterative). 

Preparation. 

Extractum Apocyni Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Apocynum. 
By maceration and percolation with Glycerin, Alcohol and water, and 
evaporation. 

Dose, 2 to 20 m. 



534 organic materia medica. 

Uses. 

Canadian Hemp has been found to be beneficial in dropsy, 
probably because of its diuretic action, when used as an infusion, 
(i to 16), of which the dose is one to two fluid ounces, twice or 
three times daily. 

ZEA. 

ZEA. Synonym. — Corn-Silk. The styles and stigmas of Zea Mays 
Linne (nat. ord. Graminece). Habitat. — Tropical America ; cultivated in the 
warm, temperate zone. 

Characters. — Thread-like; about 15 cm. long, and 0.5 mm. broad, 
yellowish or greenish, soft-silky, finely hairy > and delicately veined longitudi- 
nally ; inodorous ; taste sweetish. 

Composition. — Its chief constituents are — (1) Maizenic Acid, about 2 
per cent. (2) Fixed Oil. (3) Resin. (4) Salts. 

Dose, i to 2 dr. 

Action and Uses. 

Corn-silk is a mild but fairly certain diuretic when given in 
full doses. It is useful in acute and chronic cystitis and in the 
bladder irritation of uric acid and phosphatic gravel. It is 
possibly as well a cardiac stimulant in the dropsy of heart dis- 
ease. It is best administered in the form of an infusion, two 
ounces to the pint of boiling water, taken almost ad libitum. 

TRITICUM. 

TRITICUM. Synonym. — Couch-Grass. The rhizome of Agropyrum 
repens (Linne) Beauvois (nat. ord. Graminece), gathered in the spring and 
deprived of the roots. Habitat. — Europe and North America. 

Characters. — Very long and creeping, about 2 mm. thick ; as met with 
in the shops, cut into sections about I cm. long ; smooth, but wrinkled ; hollow 
in the centre, straw-yellow ; inodorous ; taste sweetish. 

Composition. — (1) Triticin, about 8 per cent., resembles Inulin. (2) 
Inosit. (3) Malates.] 

Dose, 1 to 8 dr. 

Preparation. 

Extractum Tritici Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Triticum. By 
percolation with boiling water, evaporation, addition of Alcohol and 
filtration. 

Dose, 1 to 8 fl. dr. 



MARRUBIUM, ERGOT. 535 

Action and Therapeutics. 

Triticum is a diuretic, and is used as a sedative in inflamma- 
tion of the genito-urinary membrane. 

MARRUBIUM. 

MARRUBIUM. Synonym. — Horehound. The leaves and tops of 
Marrubium vulgare Linne* (nat. ord. Labiates). Habitat. — Europe, Central 
Asia; naturalized in North America; cultivated. 

Characters. — Leaves about 25 mm. long, opposite, petiolate, roundish- 
ovate, obtuse, coarsely crenate, strongly rugose, downy above, white-hairy 
beneath ; branches quadrangular, white, tomentose ; flowers in dense, axillary 
woolly whorls, with a stiffly ten-toothed calyx, a whitish, bilabiate corolla, and 
four included stamens ; aromatic and bitter. 

Composition. — (1) Marrubiin, possibly a glucoside, in crystalline scales 
or prisms, soluble in Ether, Chloroform and Alcohol. (2) Little Volatile Oil. 
(3) Resin. 

Dose, 1 to 2 dr. 

Action and Uses. 

Horehound, used as a decoction, is largely a diuretic, in large 
doses laxative, and may be so given as to increase the action of 
the skin and kidneys ; but its action is not marked. 



GRO UP XII 



Vegetable drugs acting locally on unstriped muscle, 
especially that of the uterus. 

Ergot, [Cotton Root Bark, Caulophyllum]. 
ERGOTA. 

ERGOT. [Synonym. — Ergot of Rye. The sclerotium of Claviceps pur- 
purea (Fries) Tulasne (class Fungi), replacing the grain of rye, Secale cereale 
Linne (nat. ord. Graminece). Habitat. — Spain and Russia. 

Characters. — Somewhat fusiform, obtusely triangular, usually curved, 
about 2 or 3 cm. long, and 3 mm. thick ; three-furrowed, obtuse at both ends, 
purplish-black, internally whitish with some purplish striae, breaking with a 
short fracture ; odor peculiar, heavy; taste oily and disagreeable.] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — [(1) Ergotine, C 50 H 52 N 2 O 3 
an alkaloid, amorphous, feebly bitter ; soluble in Alcohol and water. 



536 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

(2) Ecboline, an alkaloid, amorphous, slightly bitter; soluble in water and 
Alcohol. (3) Ergotinine, C 35 H 40 N 4 O 6 , a crystalline alkaloid, slightly 
bitter.] (4) Sphacelic Acid, [known also as sphacelotoxin] a non-nitrogenous 
unstable body, insoluble in water, soluble in alkalies. It is believed 
to be the active agent in contracting the blood-vessels. (5) Cornutine, an 
active alkaloid, is believed to be the agent which contracts the uterus. This 
is the chief active constituent of alcoholic extracts of Ergot. (6) \_Sclerotic 
or Ergotic Acid, I to 4 per cent., soluble in water and alkalies.] (7) A fixed 
oil, 30 per cent. (8) Tannin. [Many other bodies, have been found in Ergot, 
but those given are believed to be the more important ; the composition of 
Ergot is not yet certainly made out.] 
Dose, 30 to 60 gr. 

Preparations. 

1. Extractum Ergotae [Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Ergot. By 
maceration and percolation with Acetic Acid and diluted Alcohol and 
evaporation. 

Dose, ^ to 1 fl. dr. 

2. Extractum Ergotae. — Extract of Ergot.] Synonym. — 
Ergotin. [Fluid Extract of Ergot; By evaporation to a pilular con- 
sistence. 

Dose, 5 to 15 gr. 

3. Vinum Ergotae. — Wine of Ergot. Ergot, 150. By percola- 
tion with White Wine, 150; and Alcohol, to 1000. 

Dose, 1 to 4 fl. dr.] 
It is said that Ammonia is the best solvent for the active principles of 
Ergot. The Brit. Pharm. Conference gives the following : Tinctura Ergotce 
Ammoniata. — Ergot, 10 oz.; Aromatic Spirit of Ammonia, 20 oz. Dose, 10 to 

60 m. 

Action. 

External. — None. 

Internal. — Gastro-intestinal tract. — The unstriped muscle 
of the intestine is stimulated by ergot, and this leads to greatly 
increased peristaltic movements, sometimes strong enough to 
cause relaxation of the bowels. The vessels of the intestine are 
constricted, in part because of the contraction of their own mus-_ 
cular fibers, and in part because of the contraction of those of the 
intestinal muscular coat. The result is that the intestine is 
blanched. 

Blood. — The active principles of ergot are readily absorbed, 
but they are not known to produce any effect on the blood. 



ERGOT. 537 

Heart. — The activity of the heart muscle is depressed by 
ergot ; therefore the rate of the pulse falls, and consequently at 
first the blood -pressure falls. 

Vessels. — But the fall of blood -pressure is soon followed by a 
great rise, and this is due to the general contraction of the 
arteries all over the body; they can, in some parts, be seen to 
become smaller. The veins are contracted to a less extent. This 
vascular contraction does not take place if the spinal cord is de- 
stroyed, from which it is fair to infer that it is due to the action 
of ergot on the vaso-motor centers in the cord. Because it con- 
tracts the arterioles it is haemostatic. If the ergot be taken for 
a long time the contraction of the arteries leads to gangrene of 
various parts of the body, and this was a prominent symptom of 
the ergotinism (chronic poisoning by ergot) which used to be 
seen in the very poor who could get no better food than rye 
infected with Claviceps purpurea. Enormous single doses of ergot 
appear to paralyze the vaso-motor centers, and then the blood- 
pressure falls from vascular dilatation and cardiac depression. 

Nervous system. — Medicinal doses, or even an enormous 
single dose, very rarely affect the nervous system, but if ergot be 
taken for a long time a peculiar train of symptoms sets in ; they 
constituted the second variety of chronic ergotism in the [times] 
when diseased bread was eaten. The sufferer first complained of 
itching and tingling, and a sensation of inseGts running over the 
skin ; this was followed by numbness and local anaesthesia. 
These symptoms first appeared in the hands and feet, but spread 
over the whole body. They were followed by tonic contrac- 
tions of various muscles, especially those of the extremities. The 
muscular power was lessened, and the gait was staggering. Later 
on there was diminution of sensation. Dimness of vision 
and loss of hearing were sometimes present. This variety of 
ergotism was usually accompanied by vomiting and diarrhoea. 
Death occurred from asphyxia, due to spasm and weakness of the 
respiratory muscles. 

• Uterus. — Ergot powerfully excites the pregnant uterus of 
women and lower animals to contract and expel its contents. It 
46 



53§ ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

is therefore called an ecbolic. It is not decided whether this 
effect is due to the action of the drug on the organ itself or on 
the spinal centres. Ergot has very little power to cause contrac- 
tion of the un impregnated uterus. 

The flow of urine, of saliva, of sweat, and of milk is 
diminished by ergot, probably because of the general vascular 
constriction. 

Therapeutics. 

The chief use of ergot is to cause efficient contraction of the 
uterus after labor, and so to diminish the risk of post-partum 
haemorrhage. If there is any likelihood of profuse bleeding it 
should be given subcutaneously, so that it may act rapidly. 

Ergot should be administered cautiously before the child is 
expelled, for the contractions produced by it not only gradually 
become more severe, but more prolonged, so that ultimately the 
uterus remains tightly contracted for several minutes ; this is, of 
course, dangerous to the life of the child, and if the resistance be 
very great, may lead to rupture of the uterus. 

This drug has often been given as a haemostatic in haemoptysis 
and other haemorrhages from different parts of the body. Some 
authors claim great success. Frequently it fails, and unless it 
quite closes the bleeding vessel it is likely that it may, by the 
general rise of blood-pressure, do more harm than good. It is 
difficult to [estimate] its value, for so many haemorrhages will stop 
even if no drugs are given. It has been used to check the night- 
sweats of phthisis, and as an antigalactogogue. 

It is often desirable to combine the fluid extract of ergot with 
[ferric] chloride. Because of the tannin in the ergot an inky 
mixture results ; but this may be clarified by the addition of a 
little dilute[d] phosphoric acid, and the taste may be covered 
with chloroform water. 

[GOSSYPII RADICIS CORTEX. 

COTTON ROOT BARK. — The bark of the root of Gossypium 
herbaceum Linne\ and of other species of Gossypium (nat. ord. Malvacece). 
Habitat. — Subtropical Asia and Africa ; cultivated in the United States. 

Characters. — In thin, flexible bands or quilled pieces ; outer surface 



CAULOPHYLLUM. 539 

brownish-yellow, with slight longitudinal ridges or meshes, small, black, cir- 
cular dots, or short, transverse lines, and dull, brownish-orange patches, from 
the abrasion of the thin cork; inner surface whitish, of a silky lustre, finely 
striate; bast-fibres long, tough, and separable into papery layers ; inodorous; 
taste very slightly acrid and faintly astringent. 

Composition. — (i) A yellow Resin. (2) A fixed oil. (3) Tannin. 
(4) Yellow coloring matter. 

Dose, % to 1 dr. 

Preparation. 

Extractum Gossypii Radicis Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of 
Cotton Root Bark. By maceration and percolation with Glycerin and 
Alcohol, and evaporation. 

Dose, ^ to 1 fl. dr. 

Action and Uses. 

Cotton Root Bark has the same action as Ergot, and is an 
emmenagogue and an abortifacient. It is used as an uterine 
haemostatic in the treatment of menorrhagia and metorrhagia 
from various causes, and particularly from uterine fibroids. 

CAULOPHYLLUM. 

CAULOPHYLLUM. Synonym— Blue Cohosh. The rhizome and 
roots of Caulophyllum thalictroides (Linne) Michaux (nat. ord. Berberidacece). 
Habitat. — North America, southward to Kentucky, in rich woodlands. 

Characters. — Rhizome of horizontal growth, about 10 cm. long, and 
about 6 to 10 mm. thick, bent ; on the upper side with broad, concave stem- 
scars and short, knotty branches; externally grayish -brown, internally whitish, 
tough and woody. Roots numerous, matted, about 10 cm. long, and I mm. 
thick, rather tough; nearly inodorous; taste sweetish, slightly bitter and some- 
what acrid. 

Composition. — Its chief constituents are — (1) Leontin, a glucoside, 
white, feathery, soluble in boiling water and Alcohol. (2) Two Resins. (3) 
Saponin? (4) Tannin. 

Dose, 5 to 30 gr. 

Uses. 

Blue Cohosh is used to increase the force of uterine contrac- 
tions, it has been employed as a remedy for deficient labor-pains, 
and is believed to be useful in spasmodic dysmenorrhea]. 



540 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

GROUP XIII. 

Colchicum. 

The sole value of this drug is that it is a specific for gout. 
COLCHICUM. 

COLCHICI [RADIX.— Colchicum Root. The corm of Colchicum au- 
tumnale Linne (nat. ord. Liliacece). Habitat. — Southern and Central Europe. 

Characters. — About 25 mm. long, ovoid, flattish and with a groove on 
one side ; externally brownish and wrinkled ; internally white and solid ; often 
in transverse slices, reniform in shape, and breaking with a short, mealy frac- 
ture; inodorous ; taste sweetish, bitter and somewhat acrid.] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Colchicine, [C 22 H 25 N0 6 > 
about 0.5 per cent., the active principle ; a bitter alkaloid, usually amorphous, 
but may be obtained in prismatic crystals, soluble in water and Alcohol, and 
Chloroform, but changed by most acids into Colchiceine, C 21 H 2H N0 6 , which 
also occurs naturally, of the same solubility as Colchicine, except that it is with 
difficulty soluble in water.] (2) Starch. (3) Sugar. (4) Gum. 

Incompatibles — All astringent preparations, Tincture of Iodine, and 
Tincture of Guaiacum. 

Dose, 2 to 8 gr. in powder. 

Preparations. 

[1. Extractum Colchici Radicis. — Extract of Colchicum Root. 
By maceration and percolation with Acetic Acid and water, and 
evaporation. 

Dose, % to 2 gr. 

2. Extractum Colchici Radicis Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of 
Colchicum Root. By maceration and percolation with Alcohol and 
water, and evaporation. 

Dose, 2 to 8 m. 

3. Vinum Colchici Radicis. — Wine of Colchicum Root. Col- 
chicum Root, 400; by percolation with Alcohol, 150; and with White 
Wine to 1000. 

Dose, 5 to 15 m.] 

[COLCHICI SEMEN.— Colchicum Seed. The seed of Colchicum 
autumnale Linne (nat. ord. Liliacece). 

Characters. — Subglobular, about 2 mm. thick, very slightly pointed at 
the hilum ; reddish brown, finely pitted, internally whitish ; very hard and 
tough; inodorous; taste bitter and somewhat acrid.] Resembling Colchicum 
seeds. — Black mustard seeds {see p. 444). 



COLCHICUM. 541 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) The same as of the 
corm, but the proportion of the active alkaloid Colchicine is [smaller (0.3 per 
cent.).] (2) A fixed oil, [6 to 8 per cent.,] in addition. 

Dose, 1 to 5 gr. 

' Preparations. 

[1. Extractum Colchici Seminis Fluidum. — P'luid Extract of 
Colchicum Seed. By maceration and percolation with Alcohol and 
water, and evaporation. 

Dose, 1 to 5 m. 

2. Tinctura Colchici Seminis. — Tincture of Colchicum Seed. 
Colchicum Seed, 150; by maceration and percolation with Alcohol and 
water to 1 000. 

Dose, 10 to 30 m. 

3. Vinum Colchici Seminis. — Wine of Colchicum Seed. Col- 
chicum Seed, 150; by maceration with Alcohol, 150; and with White 
Wine to 1000.] 

Dose, 10 to 30 m. 

Action. 

External. — When applied to the skin colchicum acts as an 
irritant, causing hypersemia and smarting, and the dust inhaled 
gives rise to sneezing. 

Internal. — Gastro-intestinal tract. — In moderate medicinal 
doses colchicum produces no effect on most perspns beyond 
slightly increasing the secretion of bile, but with others it causes 
loss of appetite, and a little purging, nausea, and colic. In 
larger doses it gives rise, in all persons, to great abdominal pain, 
vomiting, and profuse diarrhoea with the passage of blood. It is 
in fact a powerful gastro-intestinal irritant. There is also 
great prostration, the pulse becomes small, rapid, and thready, 
the skin cold and bedewed with sweat, and the respiration slow ; 
death is due to collapse. It is extremely probable that these 
results are not owing to any action of colchicine on the heart or 
respiration, but that they are merely the consequence of the 
severe gastro- enteritis, which, it is well known, will cause fatal 
collapse. These effects are produced if colchicine is injected 
subcutaneously, a circumstance which shows that this alkaloid 
is an active principle of the drug, and that it is excreted into 
the intestine. It is a curious fact that after a certain point, 



542 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

increasing the quantity does not lead to an increase of the 
symptoms. 

Nervous system. — Medicinal doses have no effect. Even a 
fatal dose does not impair consciousness. In frogs the reflex 
excitability of the cord is at first increased by large doses, and 
hence there may be convulsions. In mammals these do not take 
place, but in all animals ultimately the spinal motor centers are 
powerfully depressed, and the creature is paralyzed. Motor 
nerves and muscles are unaffected. Sensory nerves are somewhat 
depressed. 

Kidney. — The most discordant statements have been made 
about the action of colchicum on the urine, but it has not been 
definitely shown that either the quantity or composition is altered. 
After death by poisoning, the alkaloid is found in the blood and 
in most of the organs of the body. 

Therapeutics. 
Colchicum is hardly ever used except for gout. Given during 
the attack, it most markedly relieves the pain ; in smaller doses 
given between the attacks it diminishes their severity. It is often 
very useful for dyspepsia, eczema, headache, neuritis, conjunc- 
tivitis, bronchitis, and other conditions which, when occurring 
in those suffering from gout, are probably related to it. Occa- 
sionally it is combined with other cholagogues, especially if it is 
desired to give these remedies to a person who is the subject of 
gout. If any symptoms of gastric or intestinal irritation appear, 
its use must be discontinued for a time. The seed is said to be 
[less] active than the corm. 



GROUP XIV. 

Three Stearoptens. 

All are antiseptic (two very powerfully so) and two at least, and probably 
all three, are local anaesthetics. 

Camphor, Thymol, Menthol. 
CAMPHORA. 
CAMPHOR. — C 10 H 16 O [= 151.66. A stearopten "(having the nature of 
a ketone) obtained from Cinnamomum Camphora (Linne) Nees et Ebermaier 



CAMPHOR. 543 

(nat. ord. Laurine<z\ and purified by sublimation. Habitat. — China and 
Japan. 

Source. — The branches and chipped wood are exposed to the vapors of 
boiling water, the volatilized Camphor is condensed, drained and pressed from 
the adherent volatile oil (Oil of Camphor), and subsequently refined by subli- 
mation in vessels of glass or iron. 

Characters. — White, translucent masses, of a tough consistence and a 
crystalline structure, readily pulverizable in the presence of a little Alcohol, 
Ether, or Chloroform ; having a penetrating, characteristic odor, and a pun- 
gently aromatic taste. Sp. gr., 0.995. Smoky flame. Volatilizes slowly at 
ordinary temperatures. Sublimes entirely when heated. Solubility. — Very 
sparingly soluble in water, but readily soluble in Alcohol, Ether, Chloroform, 
Carbon Disulphide, Benzin, and in fixed and volatile oils. When Camphor 
is triturated in about molecular proportions with Menthol, Thymol, Phenol, or 
Chloral, liquefaction ensues.] 

Composition. — It is oxidized terebene, C 10 H 16 . It is often called Laurel 
Camphor. All Camphors or stearoptens are oxidation products of hydrocar- 
bons which contain 10 atoms of carbon (terpenes), and constitute the greater 
part of volatile oils, of which Oil of Turpentine (C 10 H 16 ) is best known. Iso- 
meric with the terpene of Oil of Turpentine we have terpenes of Oil of Lav- 
ender, Oil of Spearmint, Oil of Anise, Oil of Caraway, Oil of Rosemary, etc. 
Menthol (C ]0 H 20 O) (a. v.) is a Camphor or stearopten derived from the ter- 
pene (C ]0 H 20 ) called diamylene. Borneo, [Sumatra or Barus] Camphor, which 
is often in commerce substituted for the official Camphor, is derived from Dryo- 
balanops \_Camphord\, and is known from the official variety by sinking in water 
— is C 10 H 18 O ; that is to say, an oxidized product of the terpene called camphene 
or menthene, C ]0 H 18 (existing in Peppermint Oil, see p. 464). Thymol (a. v.) 
and carvol {see pp. 465 and 469), C 10 H u O, are stearoptens or camphors, the 
result of oxidation of the terpene cymol, C 10 H u 

Dose, 3 to 20 gr. 

Preparations . 

1. [Aqua Camphorse. — Camphor Water. Camphor, 8; by tritura- 
tion with Alcohol, 5 ; and precipitated Calcium Phosphate, 5 ; addition 
of water, and filtration to 1 000. 

Dose, )/ z to 2 fl. oz. 

2. Linimentum Camphorse. — Camphor Liniment. Synonym. — 
Camphorated Oil. Camphor, 200 ; Cotton Seed Oil, 800. 

3. Spiritus Camphorae. — Spirit of Camphor. Camphor, 100 ; 
Alcohol to 1000. By solution and filtration. 

Dose, 30 to 60 m. 

4. Ceratum Camphorae. — Camphor Cerate. Camphor Liniment, 
100; White Wax, 300; Lard, 600.] 



544 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Camphor is contained in Linimentum Belladonnae, Linimentum Sinapis 
Compositum, Linimentum Saponis, Tinctura Opii Camphorata and Pulvis Mor- 
phinae Compositus 

[CAMPHORA M ON OB ROM AT A. — Monobromated Camphor. 
C 10 H ]5 BrO- 230.42. 

Source. — By heating Bromine and Camphor, solution in Benzin, and 
recrystallization from hot Alcohol. 

Characters. — Colorless, prismatic needles or scales, having a mild, 
camphoraceous odor and taste, permanent in the air, unaffected by light, and 
neutral to litmus paper. Solubility. — Almost insoluble in water; freely solu- 
ble in Alcohol, Ether, Chloroform, hot Benzin, and fixed and volatile oils; 
slightly soluble in Glycerin. It is also soluble without decomposition in cold, 
concentrated Sulphuric Acid, from which it separates again unaltered, when 
the solution is poured into water. 

Dose, 2 to 10 gr.] 

Action. 

External. — Camphor, although not a volatile oil, acts very 
much like one. Thus it is a direct cutaneous stimulant, dilating 
the vessels of the skin, and at first causing a sensation of warmth, 
but subsequently a slight degree of local anaesthesia. It is a 
feeble antiseptic. 

Internal. — Gastro-intestinal tract. — In the stomach it is 
mildly stimulant, dilating the vessels, increasing the flow of 
gastric juice and the peristalsis. Hence it is stomachic and car- 
minative. It has a slight reflex stimulating effect on the heart. 
In medicinal doses it has little action on the intestines. 

Circulation. — It quickly enters the blood both from the skin 
and the intestine, and is said to increase the number of leuco- 
cytes in that fluid. To a slight extent the heart is excited directly 
by it in addition to the reflex stimulation just mentioned. 

Respiration. — Probably some camphor is excreted by the 
bronchial mucous membrane, the vascularity and secretion of 
which it consequently stimulates. It has the reputation of being 
a feeble expectorant. 

Skin. — It is a mild diaphoretic. This effect is believed to 
be due to the action of the drug on the central nervous system. 
Probably some of the camphor is excreted by the skin, for the 
sweat may smell of it. 



THYMOL. 545 

Nervous system. — Different people are differently susceptible 
to the effects of camphor. Five to ten grains will in some per- 
sons produce a feeling of exhilaration, or in others a sense of 
comfort and quietness. Larger doses cause great excitement, 
giddiness, a slow pulse, and ultimately headache, burning pains 
in the stomach, faintness, confusion of ideas, delirium, violent 
convulsions, insensibility, a small feeble pulse, and finally death 
from collapse. It is a mild antipyretic. 

Sexual organs. — Camphor is reputed to be an aphrodisiac, 
but this is probably incorrect. 

Kidneys. — It is not excreted as camphor, but as complex 
substances, one of which is campho-glycuric acid. 

Therapeutics. 

External. — Its stimulating effects make camphor a favorite 
ingredient of many liniments. It is constantly rubbed into the 
skin in some form or another as a mild irritant or counter-irritant 
in, for example, chronic rheumatism, chronic inflammatory indu- 
rations, and the slighter chest complaints of children ; and also in 
myalgia, neuralgia, lumbago, and sciatica, in which cases, because 
of its property of causing local anaesthesia, it relieves pain. In 
addition to the pharmacopceial preparations, a Chloroformum 
Camphorae (camphor, 2 parts, dissolved in chloroform, 1 part) 
may be used The liquid preparations . with chloral, carbolic 
acid, and thymol are excellent local anodynes for neuralgia, and 
may be dropped into a tooth to relieve toothache. 

Internal. — Camphor is used as a carminative, especially in 
neurotic subjects. It is a common remedy for a cold in the head, 
and is probably beneficial on account of its stimulation of the 
circulation and its slight antipyretic and diaphoretic effects. 
Many expectorant mixtures contain camphor. It has been given as 
an antispasmodic in hysteria and allied conditions, and some state 
that it is of use in cholera. [Monobromated Camphor resembles, 
but is not identical with, the bromides in its therapeutical action.] 

THYMOL. 
THYMOL.— C 10 H M O[=i49.66. A phenol (classified in the B. P. as a 

stearopten) occurring in the volatile oils of (1) Thymus vulgaris Linne (2) Mon- 



54^ ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

arda punctata Linne (nat. ord. Labiates), and (3) Carum Ajowan (Roxburgh) 
Bentham et Hooker (nat. ord. Umbelliferce). Habitat. — (1) Southern Europe; 
cultivated. (2) United States, west to Texas and Colorado ; in sandy fields. 
(3) India, Persia, Egypt. 

Source. — Thymol is separated from the terpenes in the volatile oils by 
fractional distillation, agitated with solution of Soda to remove more of the 
terpenes, and cooled. The compound of Soda and Thymol is decomposed by 
Hydrochloric Acid, and Thymol is recrystallized from an alcoholic solution. 

Characters. — Large, colorless, translucent crystals of the hexagonal 
system, having an aromatic, thyme-like odor, and a pungent, aromatic taste, 
with a very slight caustic effect upon the lips. Sp. gr , as a solid, is 1.069, 
but when liquefied by fusion it is lighter than water. When triturated with 
about equal quantities of Camphor, Menthol, or Chloral, it liquefies. Solu- 
bility. — Soluble in about 1200 parts of water, and in less than its own weight 
of Alcohol, Ether, or Chloroform; also readily soluble in Carbon Disulphide, 
Glacial Acetic Acid, and in fixed or volatile oils. 

Impurities. — Paraffin, Spermaceti. 

Dose, 1 to 15 gr.] 

Action and Therapeutics. 
Thymol is a more powerful antiseptic than carbolic acid. 
It has been used in antiseptic surgery for dressing wounds. A 
saturated solution of thymol gauze, and thymol ointment are 
employed. It is non-irritating. It has considerable antiparasitic 
powers, and solutions in alcohol or ether (1 in 15) have been 
used in ringworm. A solution in glycerin (1 in 200) has been 
recommended for sore throats. A little alcohol is very useful for 
facilitating the aqueous solution of thymol. [The odor is likely to 
attract house flies.] It is believed to possess no value for internal use. 

MENTHOL. 

MENTHOL.— C l0 H 19 OH[=i55. 66. A stearopten (having the char- 
acter of a secondary Alcohol), obtained from the official oil of peppermint 
(from Mentha piperita Smith), or from Japanese or Chinese oil of peppermint 
(from Mentha arvensis Linne, var. piperascens Holmes, and Mentha canadensis 
Linne, var. glabrata Holmes; nat. ord. Labiatce). 

Source. — By fractional distillation of the volatile oil and freezing the 
higher boiling product, and crystallization. 

• Characters. — Colorless, acicular or prismatic crystals, having a strong 
and pure odor of peppermint, and a warm, aromatic taste, followed by a sensa- 
tion of cold, when air is drawn into the mouth. Solubility. — Slightly soluble 



LEMON. 547 

in water, but imparts to the latter its odor and taste. It is freely soluble in 
Alcohol, Ether, Chloroform, Carbon Disulphide, or glacial Acetic Acid. 
When it is triturated with about an equal weight of Camphor, Thymol, or 
Chloral, the mixture becomes liquid.] 

Impurities. — Glass and Magnesium Sulphate. 

Dose, y 2 to 2 gr. 

Action and Therapeutics. 
Menthol is chiefly employed externally, for it produces local 
anaesthesia, a feeling of coldness and numbness, and thereby 
alleviates the pain of neuralgia, especially if it involves a super- 
ficial nerve. It is very efficacious in some cases. The solid 
menthol, in the form of a cone, may be drawn [over] the skin, or 
an alcoholic solution may be painted on, or a plaster [menthol, 
2 ; yellow wax, i ; resin, 7 ; spread upon rubber cloth] may be 
applied; a solution made by heat with oleic acid [1 to 2.4] is an 
excellent preparation. The local application often relieves itch- 
ing. It has been applied locally to carious teeth, and has been 
used with advantage in asthma. It is readily volatilized by the 
addition of hot water. Solutions of it have been painted upon 
the throat in diphtheria. [It has been used internally in small 
doses (-jL grain) to relieve nausea and vomiting]. 



GROUP XV. 



Vegetable drugs acting by virtue of important acids 
they contain. 

Lemon juice (Citric Acid), [Prunus Virginiana (Hydrocyanic Acid)], 
Benzoin (Benzoic Acid), Cbrysarobinum (Chrysophanic Acid), [Rhus 
Toxicodendron (Toxicodendric Acid)]. 

LEMON. 

LIMONIS CORTEX.— Lemon peel. The [rind of the recent fruit of 
Citrus Limonum Risso (nat. ord. Rutacece). Habitat. — Northern India; culti- 
vated in subtropical countries. 

Characters. — In narrow, thin bands or in elliptical segments, with very 
little of a spongy, white, inner layer adhering to them ; outer surface deep 
lemon-yellow, and ruggedly glandular; odor fragrant; taste aromatic and 
bitterish. ] 



54-8 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (i) The official oil, C 10 H 16 
(see below). (2) [A glucoside], Hesperidin, [C 22 H 26 12 . 

Preparation. 

Spiritus Limonis. — Spirit of Lemon. Synonym. — Essence of 
Lemon. Oil of Lemon, 50 ; Lemon Peel, 50 ; by maceration and filtra- 
tion with Deodorized Alcohol to 1000. 

Dose, l / 2 to 2 fl. dr. 

Spirit of Lemon is contained in Syrupus Acidi Citrici.] 

OLEUM LIMONIS.— Oil of Lemon. [A volatile oil obtained by 
expression from fresh Lemon Peel. 

Characters. — A pale yellow, limpid liquid, having the fragrant odor of 
lemon, and an aromatic, somewhat bitterish taste. Sp. gr., 0.858 to 0.859. 
Solubility. — In three times its volume of Alcohol ; also soluble, in all propor- 
tions, in absolute Alcohol, Carbon Disulphide, or glacial Acetic Acid.] 

Oil of Lemon is contained in Spiritus Ammonise Aromaticus, [Spiritus 
Aurantii Compositus and Spiritus Limonis.] 

Action and Therapeutics. 

The same as those of orange. The oil applied externally is 
rubefacient. 

LIMONIS SUCCUS. — Lemon Juice. The freshly expressed juice 
of the ripe fruit of Citrus Limonum [Risso (nat. ord. Rutacece)^ 

Characters. — [A slightly turbid, yellowish liquid, usually having an 
odor of lemon due to the accidental presence of some of the volatile oil of the 
rind. Taste acid, and often slightly bitter. Sp. gr., not less than 1.030. 

Composition. — Lemon juice contains — (1) Citric Acid (H 3 C 6 H 5 7 -+- 
H 2 0), about 7 per cent., free, and combined to form Potassium and other salts. 
(2) Sugar. (3) Gum. (4) Inorganic Salts. 

Dose, 1 to 2 fl. oz.] 

Action and Therapeutics. 

Lemon juice is used to relieve thirst, and to make effervescing 
mixtures and drinks. Its action in the body is the same as that 
of citric acid (see p. 233). Three or four ounces of lemon juice 
daily are of great benefit in scurvy. Why this is we do not cer- 
tainly know. Lemon juice is probably more efficacious than 
citric acid. 



WILD CHERRY, BENZOIN. 549 

[PRUNUS VIRGINIANA. 

WILD CHERRY. — The bark of Primus serotina Ehrhart (nat. ord. 
Rosacece), collected in autumn. Habitat. — North America, westward to Min- 
nesota and Louisiana ; in woods. 

Characters. — In curved pieces or irregular fragments, 2 mm. or more 
thick, outer surface greenish-brown, or yellowish-brown, smooth and somewhat 
glossy, marked with transverse scars ; if the bark is collected from old wood 
and deprived of the corky layer, the outer surface is nut brown and uneven; 
inner surface somewhat striate or fissured. Upon maceration in water it 
develops a distinct bitter-almond odor ; its taste is astringent, aromatic and 
bitter. 

Dose, yi to 1 dr. 

Preparations . 

1. Extractum Pruni Virginianae Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of 
Wild Cherry. By maceration and percolation with Glycerin, Alcohol 
and water, and evaporation. 

Dose, yi to 1 fl. dr. 

2. Infusum Pruni Virginianae. — Infusion of Wild Cherry. 
Wild Cherry, 40. By maceration and percolation to 1 000. 

Dose, 1 to 2 fl. oz. 

J 

3. Syrupus Pruni Virginianae. — Syrup of Wild Cherry. Wild 

Cherry, 150; sugar, 700; Glycerin, 150 ; water to 1000. By macera- 
tion and percolation. 
Dose, i to 4 fl. dr. 

Therapeutics. 

The same as for diluted hydrocyanic acid {see p. 285). It is' 

much used as a remedy for cough, and the syrup as a vehicle 

for tincture of digitalis renders it less likely to produce gastric 

disturbance]. 

BENZOINUM. 

BENZOIN. — A balsamic resin obtained from Sty rax Benzoin [Dry- 
ander (nat. ord. Styracece). Habitat. — Sumatra, Java, probably also Siam. 

Characters. — In lumps consisting of agglutinated, yellowish-brown 
tears, which are internally milk-white, or in the form of a reddish-brown mass, 
more or less mottled from whitish tears imbedded in it. It is almost wholly 
soluble in 5 parts of moderately warm Alcohol, and in solutions of the fixed 
alkalies. When heated, it gives off fumes of Benzoic Acid. It has an agree- 
able, balsamic odor, and a slight, aromatic taste. Solubility. — In 5 parts of 
Alcohol.] Easily in Ether or Solution of Potassa. 



550 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (i) Benzoic Acid (q. v.), 12 
to 20 per cent. (2) Cinnamic Acid, C 9 H 8 2 , a trace. (3) Resins. (4) Vola- 
tile Oil. 

Preparations. 

1. Adeps Benzo[inatus. — Benzoinated Lard. Benzoin, 20 ; lard, 
1000; by melting and straining. 

2. Tinctura Benzoini. — Tincture of Benzoin. Benzoin, 200; 
by maceration and filtration with Alcohol to 1000. 

Dose, yi to 1 fl. dr. 

3. Tinctura Benzoini Composita. — Compound Tincture of 
Benzoin. Synonym. — Friar's Balsam. Benzoin, 120; Storax, 80; 
Balsam of Tolu, 40; purified Aloes, 20; by digestion with Alcohol, and 
filtration to 1000. 

Dose, y 2 to 1 fl. dr.] 

ACIDUM BENZOICUM.— Benzoic Acid. HC 7 H 5 2 [= 121.71]. 

Source. — From Benzoin by sublimation. 

Characters. — [White, or yellowish- white, lustrous scales or friable 
needles, odorless, or having a slight, characteristic odor resembling that of 
Benzoin, and of a warm, acid taste ; somewhat volatile at a moderately warm 
temperature, and rendered darker by exposure to light. Solubility. — When 
pure, in about 500 parts of water, and in 2 parts of Alcohol. Also soluble in 
3 parts of Ether, 7 parts of Chloroform, and readily soluble in Carbon Disul- 
phide, Benzol, fixed and volatile oils, but sparingly soluble in Benzin. 

Dose, 5 to 15 gr. 

Benzoic Acid is contained in Tinctura Opii Camphorata.] 

AMMONII BENZOAS.— Ammonium Benzoate. NH 4 C 7 H 5 2 [= 
13872. 

Source. — Dissolve Benzoic Acid in Water of Ammonia and distilled 
water, and evaporate, set aside to crystallize. HC 7 H 5 2 -f- NH 4 OH = 
NH 4 C 7 H 5 2 + H 2 0. 

Characters. — Thin, white, four-sided, laminar crystals, odorless or hav- 
ing a slight odor of Benzoic Acid, a saline, bitter, afterwards slightly acrid 
taste, and gradually losing Ammonia on exposure to the air. Solubility. — In 5 
parts of water, and in 28 parts of Alcohol.] 

Incompatibles. — Ferric Salts, Liquor Potassae, and acids. 

Dose, 5 to 20 gr. 

SODII BENZOAS.— [Sodium Benzoate. NaC 7 H 5 2 = 143.71. 

Source. — Benzoic Acid is added to a hot concentrated solution of pure 
Sodium Carbonate, the solution is evaporated, cooled and allowed to crystal- 
lize. 2HC 7 H 5 2 -f- Na 2 C0 3 = 2NaC 7 H 5 2 + C0 2 -f H 2 0. 



BENZOIN. 551 

Characters. — A white, amorphous powder, odorless, or having a faint 
odor of Benzoin, and a sweetish, astringent taste. Permanent in the air. 
Solubility. — In 1.8 parts of water, and in 45 parts of Alcohol.] 
Dose, 5 to 60 gr. 

Action. 

As far as is known the action of benzoic acid, its salts, and 
benzoin, is the same. We shall therefore only here describe the 
action of benzoic acid. 

External. — Benzoic acid is a powerful antiseptic. The 
growth of many forms of bacteria is completely inhibited by a 
solution of 1 in 1000. In a concentrated form it is a stimulant 
and irritant when applied to the skin. 

Internal. — The only fact about the internal action of benzoic 
acid that has been worked out is that when it is given by the 
mouth, hippuric acid appears in the urine. This happens 
by combination with a molecule of glycocoll, HC v H 5 2 + C 2 H 5 
N0 2 =C 9 H 9 N0 3 (hippuric acid) +H 2 0. The source of the gly- 
cocoll is not known. The conversion probably takes place in 
the kidneys, for after giving large doses of benzoic acid, it alone 
can be found in the blood, and if the renal arteries are tied, no 
hippuric acid is formed, but if only the ureters are tied it is 
formed. Also benzoic acid has been successfully converted into 
hippuric acid by passing blood, containing benzoic acid, but no 
glycocoll, slowly through the kidneys removed directly after 
death. Hippuric acid has been found in the urine of new-born 
children when benzoic acid has been given to the mother shortly 
before delivery. If hippuric acid is given by the mouth benzoic 
acid is found in the blood, but hippuric [acid] reappears in the 
urine The hippuric acid in the urine renders alkaline urine, 
acid, and it stimulates and disinfects the urinary mucous mem- 
brane. Occasionally succinic as well as hippuric acid appears 
in the urine. 

Benzoic acid or some derivative of it is probably excreted in 
the bronchial secretion, for the bronchial mucous membrane is 
stimulated by the administration of benzoic acid, the mucus 
being increased in quantity and disinfected. The acid is there- 



552 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

fore expectorant. The same effects are brought about if the 
vapor of benzoic acid is inhaled. It is said to be excreted by 
the skin and salivary glands, and thereby to increase their activity. 
It is slightly diuretic. 

Benzoic acid and its salts are antipyretic, and it is stated that 
they are even more powerful than salicylic acid. How they pro- 
duce a fall of temperature is not known. Metabolism is believed 
to be generally increased. 

Therapeutics. 

External. — Lint soaked in the compound tincture is a 
favorite dressing for wounds and sores of all sorts. Its chief 
advantage is the antiseptic power it possesses. Its stimulating 
effect is also valuable. 

Internal. — Lungs. — Benzoin, benzoic acid and its com- 
pounds are very commonly employed as stimulating, disinfecting 
expectorants in cases of bronchitis or phthisis in which the expec- 
toration is foul and scanty. The vapor from a mixture of a pint 
of water at 140 F. and a fluid drachm of compound tincture of 
benzoin is often inhaled for bronchitis and laryngitis. 

Urinary organs. — Benzoic acid is a most valuable drug for 
acidifying the alkaline decomposing urine which is formed in 
pyelitis and cystitis, and for stimulating and disinfecting the 
urinary tract in the same conditions. Ammonium benzoate is 
so much more soluble than benzoic acid that it is to be pre- 
ferred to it. Spirit of chloroform covers the taste. It may with 
advantage be combined with the urinary sedatives, as tincture of 

hyoscyamus. 

[CHRYSAROBINUM. 

CHRYSAROBIN. Synonyms.— Goa Powder, Araroba Powder. A 
neutral principle, in its commercial, more or less impure form, extracted from 
Goa Powder, a substance found deposited in the wood of Andira Araroba 
Aguiar (nat. ord. Leguminosiv). Habitat. — Brazil. 

Characters. — A pale, orange-yellow, microcrystalline powder, odorless 
and tasteless ; turning brownish-yellow on exposure to air. Solubility. — Very 
slightly soluble in cold water or Alcohol ; soluble in 2>Z parts of boiling Ben- 
zol, and in solutions of the alkalies. 



poison ivy. 553 

Composition. — The chief constituent is Chrysarobin, C 27 H ;50 O u , an 
orange -yellow crystalline substance, soluble in Alcohol and Ether, mare freely 
soluble in Benzol and Chloroform.] Synonyms. — Rhein, Chrysophan (see p. 
411). In the fresh plant it probably exists as a Glucoside, but this is slowly 
oxidized into Chrysophanic Acid, C 15 H 10 O 4 , and glucose. 

Preparation. 

Unguentum Chrysarobini. — [Chrysarobin Ointment. Chrys- 
arobin, 5 ; Benzoinated Lard, 95.] 

Action. 

External. — It is a powerful irritant to the skin, which it 
stains yellowish-brown. Linen is stained the same color. (The 
stain may be removed by a weak solution of caustic soda or 
chlorinated lime.) It is antiparasitic. 

Internal. — It is cathartic and very irritating to the stomach 
and bowels, causing vomiting and purging. It is excreted by 
the kidneys, and stains the urine yellow. 

Therapeutics. 

It is used as an antiparasitic in ringworm, and to excite healthy 
inflammation in chronic cutaneous diseases, especially psoriasis 
and acne rosacea. It has also been given internally for skin 
diseases, but as it is so irritating this practice is not advisable. 

[RHUS TOXICODENDRON. 

RHUS TOXICODENDRON. Synonym.— Poison Ivy. The fresh 
leaves of Rhus radicans Linn£ (nat. ord. Anacardiece). Habitat. — North 
America, west to Wyoming and Texas, in thickets. 

Characters. — Long-petiolate, trifoliolate ; the lateral leaflets sessile or 
nearly so, about 10 cm. long, obliquely ovate, pointed ; the terminal leaflets 
stalked, ovate or oval, pointed, with a wedge-shaped or rounded base ; the 
leaflets entire and glabrous, or variously notched, coarsely toothed, or lobed 
more or less downy ; when dry, papery and brittle ; inodorous ; taste somewhat 
astringent and acrid. Resembling Rhus Toxicodendron. — Ptelea trifoliata, 
which are similar in appearance, but have all the leaflets sessile. 

. Composition. — Its chief constituents are — (1) Toxicodendric Acid, a vol- 
atile Acid. (2) Tannin. (3) Fixed Oil. 

Dose, 1 to 5 gr. 
47 



554 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Uses. 
The tincture of the fresh leaves (dose, ^ to 2 1U) has been 
used in paralysis, nocturnal incontinence of urine and cutaneous 
diseases; but the remedy is a dangerous and, probably, an useless 
one, for these purposes. Largely diluted it has been used as a 
lotion for bruises and burns.] 



GROUP XVI. 

Vegetable Drugs only used as Flavoring Agents. 

Rose, Sugar, [Balm, Raspberry, Vanilla, Sage, Oil of Bay, 
Oil of Sesamum.] 

ROSA. 

ROSA GALLICA.— Red Rose. The petals of Rosa gallica [Linne 
(nat. ord. Rosacea), collected before expanding. Habitat. — Asia Minor and 
Southern Europe ; cultivated. 

Characters. — Usually in small cones, consisting of numerous imbri- 
cated, roundish, retuse, deep purple-colored, yellow-clawed petals, having a 
roseate odor and a bitterish, slightly acidulous and distinctly astringent taste. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) A volatile oil, a trace. 
(2) Quercitrin. (3) Mucilage. (4) Sugar.] 

Preparations. 

1. Confectio Rosae. — [Confection of Rose. Red Rose, 80; 
Sugar, 640 ; Clarified Honey, 12 ; stronger Rose Water, 160. 

Dose, 30 to 60 gr. 

2. Extractum Rosae Fluidum.— Fluid Extract of Rose. By 
maceration with Glycerin and diluted Alcohol, and evaporation. 

Dose, X to ! fl - dr. 

3. Mel Rosae. — Honey of Rose. Fluid Extract of Rose, 120; 
Clarified Honey, to 1000. 

Dose, freely. 

4. Syrupus Rosae. — Syrup of Rose. Fluid Extract of Rose, 
125; Syrup, 875- 

Dose, 1 to 2 fl. dr. 
Red Rose is contained in Pilulae Aloes et Mastiches.] 



sugar. 555 

ROSA CENTIFOLIA.— [Pale Rose. The petals of Rosa centifolia 
Linne" (nat. ord. Rosacea:). Habitat. — Western Asia; cultivated. 

Characters. — Roundish-obovate and retuse, or obcordate, pink, fra- 
grant, sweetish, slightly bitter and faintly astringent. 

Composition. — (i) Volatile oil, a trace. (2) Mucilage. (3) Tannin. 
(4) Malates.] 

[OLEUM ROSiE.— Oil of Rose. Synonym.— Attar of Rose. A 
volatile oil distilled from the fresh flowers of Rosa damascena Miller (nat. 
ord. Rosacea). Habitat, — Cultivated in Bulgaria. 

Characters. — A pale yellowish, transparent liquid, having the strong, 
fragrant odor of rose, and a mild, slightly sweetish taste. Sp. gr., 0.865 to 
0.880. Solubility. — It is but slightly soluble in Alcohol. 

Composition. — Its principal constituent is — Rhodinol, C 10 H 18 O, a stere- 
opten, 12 to 14 per cent., very fragrant, readily soluble in Alcohol. 

Impurities. — Oil of Ginger-grass or Turkish Oil of Geranium, Oil of 
Rose Geranium, Spermaceti and Parafin.] 

Preparations. 

[1. Aqua Rosae Fortior. — Stronger Rose Water. Synonym. — 
Triple Rose Water. Water saturated with the volatile oil of Rose 
petals, obtained as a by product in the distillation of Oil of Rose. 

Dose, indefinite.] 

2. Aqua Rosae. — [Rose Water. Stronger Rose Water, distilled 
water, of each, one volume. 

Dose, indefinite.] 

[3. Unguentum Aquae Rosae. — Ointment of Rose Water. 
Synonym. — Cold Cream. Spermaceti, 125; White Wax, 120; Ex- 
pressed Oil of Almond, 600; Stronger Rose Water, 190; Sodium 
Borate 5.] 

Action and Therapeutics. 
The preparations of rose petals are pleasant vehicles. The 
infusion (dried petals, 2 ; diluted sulphuric acid, 1 ; water, 80) is 
mildly astringent. [The ointment of rose water is a favorite 
soothing application for the skin.] 

SACCHARUM. 
[SUGAR. — C 12 H 22 O u =34i.2. Synonym. — Cane Sugar. The refined 
Sugar obtained from Saccharum officinarum Linne", and from various species 
or varieties of Sorghum (nat. ord. Graminea) ; also from one or more varie- 
ties of Beta vulgaris Linne (nat. ord. Chenopodiacece). Habitat. — Southern 
Asia; cultivated in tropical and subtropical countries. 



556 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Characters. — White, dry, hard, distinctly crystalline granules, odorless 
and having a purely sweet taste. Permanent in the air. Solubility. — In 0.5 
part of water, and in 175 parts of Alcohol ; but insoluble in Ether, Chloroform, 
or Carbon Disulphide. 

Dose, indefinite.] 

Preparation. 

Syrupus. — [Syrup. Sugar, 850; distilled water, by solution with 
heat, and straining to 1000. 

Dose, indefinite. 

Syrup thus prepared has the sp.gr., 1. 3 17. It is used for com- 
pound syrups.] 

Action and Therapeutics. 

Sugar is used as a sweetening agent. [Syrup is used as a 
vehicle.] 

[MELISSA. 

MELISSA. Synonym. — Balm. The leaves and tops of Melissa 
officinalis Linne (nat. ord. Labiates'). Habitat. — Asia Minor, Southern 
Europe ; naturalized in the United States ; cultivated. 

Characters. — Leaves long, petiolate, ovate, obtuse, rounded or subcor- 
date at the base, crenate, somewhat hairy, glandular ; branches quadrangular ; 
flowers in about four-flowered cymules, with a tubular, bell-shaped, five- 
toothed calynx, a whitish or purplish bilabiate corolla, and four stamens; 
fragrant, aromatic; somewhat astringent and bitterish. 

Composition.— (1) Volatile oil, X P er cent ( 2 ) Tannin. (3) Bitter 
principle. 

Dose, 1 to 2 dr. 

Uses. 
Balm is used as a flavoring agent. 

RUBUS IDiEUS. 

RASPBERRY.— The fruit of Rubus idceus Linne (nat. ord. Rosacea). 
Habitat. — Europe and Asia ; cultivated. 

Characters. — Deprived of the conical receptacle, and therefore hollow 
at the base; hemispherical, red, finely hairy, composed of from twenty to 
thirty coalesced, small drupes, each one crowned with the withered style ; 
juice red ; of an agreeable odor, and a pleasant, acidulous taste. 

Composition. — Volatile oil, a trace. (2) Citric and Malic Acids. (3) 
Sugar, about 5 per cent. (4) Pectin. 



VANILLA, SAGE. 557 

Preparation. 
Syrupus Rubi Idaei. — Syrup of Raspberry. Fresh ripe rasp- 
berries (filtered juicej, 40; Sugar, 60. 
Dose, indefinite. 

Uses. 

Raspberry syrup is used chiefly as a flavoring agent. 
VANILLA. 

VANILLA. — The fruit of Vanilla planifolia Andrews (nat. ord. 
Orchidece). Habitat. — Eastern Mexico, in hot, damp woods; cultivated in 
the tropics. 

Characters. — From 15 to 25 cm. long, and about 8 mm. thick, linear, 
narrowed and bent or hooked at the base, rather oblique at the apex, wrinkled, 
somewhat warty, dark brown, glossy-leathery, one-celled, and containing a 
blackish-brown pulp, with numerous, minute seeds, and more or less acicular 
crystals; odor and taste peculiar, fragrant. 

Composition. — Its chief constituents are — (1) Vanillin, 8 H & 3 , con- 
tained in Vanilla from 1.7 to 2.75 per cent. (2) Fixed Oil, II per cent. 
(3) Resin. (4) Sugar. (5) Mucilage. Vanillin is the Aldehyd of Methyl- 
protocatechuic Acid ; and can be prepared artificially from Coniferin, Carbolic 
Acid, Guaiacol and Eugenol, C 10 H 12 O 2 . 

Preparation. 
Tinctura Vanillae. — Tincture of Vanilla. Vanilla, 100 ; Sugar, 
200; by maceration with Alcohol and water, to 1000. 
Dose, as flavoring agent. 

Uses. 
Vanilla is used solely as a flavoring agent. 

SALVIA. 

SALVIA. Synonym. — Sage. The leaves of Salvia officinalis Linne 
(nat. ord. Labiates). Habitat. — Southern Europe; cultivated. 

Characters. — About 5 cm. long, petiolate, ovate -oblong, obtuse or 
subacute at the apex, rounded or somewhat heart-shaped at the base, finely 
crenulate, thickish, wrinkled, grayish-green, soft-hairy and glandular beneath ; 
odor aromatic ; taste aromatic, bitterish, and somewhat astringent. 

Composition. — It contains — (1) A volatile oil, containing Salviol, C 10 
H 18 0, Cineol and Pinene. (2) Resin. (3) Tannin. 

Dose, % to 1 dr. 

Uses. 

It is used chiefly as a condiment, and it is said to be useful in 
checking the sweats in hectic fever. 



55^ ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

OLEUM MYRCIA. 

OIL OF MYRCIA. Synonym.— Oil of Bay. A volatile oil distilled 
from the leaves of Myrcia acris De Candolle (nat. ord. Myrtacecz), Habitat. 
— West Indies. 

Characters. — A yellow or brownish-yellow liquid, having an aromatic, 
somewhat clove-like odor, and a pungent, spicy taste. Sp. gr. , 0.975 to 0.990. 
Solubility. — With an equal volume of Alcohol, glacial Acetic Acid, or Carbon 
Disulphide, it yields slightly turbid solutions. 

Preparation. 
Spiritus Myrciae. — Spirit of Myrcia. Synonym. — Bay Rum. 
Oil of Myrcia, 16; Oil of Orange peel, I ; Oil of Pimenta, I ; Alcohol, 
1220; water to 2000. 

Uses. 
Oil of myrcia is used solely as a perfume. 

OLEUM SESAMI. 

OIL OF SESAMUM. Synonyms.— Sesame Oil, Teel Oil, Benne 
Oil. A fixed oil expressed from the seed of Sesamum indicum Linne (nat. 
ord. Pedaliacece). Habitat. — India; cultivated. 

Characters. — A yellowish or yellow, oily liquid, inodorous or nearly 
so, and having a bland, nut-like taste. Sp. gr., 0.919 to 0.923. 

Uses. 
Benne oil is used in preparing hair oil. 



GROUP XVII. 
Vegetable drugs used only as coloring agents. 

Saffron, Red Saunders. 
CROCUS. 

[SAFFRON. — The stigmas of Crocus sativus Linne (nat. ord. Iridece). 
Habitat. — Western Asia ; cultivated in Spain and France. 

Characters. — Separate stigmas, or three, attached to the top of the 
style, about 3 cm. long, nattish-tubular, almost thread-like, broader and notched 
above ; orange-brown ; odor strong, peculiar, aromatic ; taste bitterish and 
aromatic] 

Composition.— The chief constituents are — (1) Polychroit, [C 44 H 70 O 28 , 
an amorphous, brown-yellow Glucoside, soluble in Alcohol and water, splitting 



cotton. 559 

into sugar (Crocose), and red Crocetin (formerly called Crocin), Cg^H^Og, 
soluble in Ether and Alcohol. (2) Picrocrocin, C 38 H 66 17 , in colorless, bitter 
needles, readily soluble in Alcohol and water. (3) A volatile oil, C 10 H 16 , 
1 per cent. (4) Fixed oil.] 

Impurities. — Marigold, Saffron petals, chalk, oil. 

Dose, 5 to 30 gr. 

Preparation. 

Tinctura Croci.— [Tincture of Saffron. Saffron, 100 ; by macera- 
tion and percolation with diluted Alcohol to 1 000. 
Dose, 1 to 2 fl. dr.] 

Action and Therapeutics. 
Saffron is only used to color preparations. 

SANTALUM RUBRUM. 

[RED SAUNDERS.— The wood of Pterocarpus santalinus Linne 
filius (nat. ord. Leguminosce) . Habitat. — Madras; cultivated. 

Characters. — A hard, heavy, dark reddish -brown, coarsely splintery 
wood, deprived of the light-colored sap-wood ; usually met with in chips, or 
as a coarse, irregular, brownish-red powder, nearly inodorous and nearly 
tasteless. Resembling Red Saunders.'] — Logwood, which is less dense. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — [(1) Santalin, C 15 H u 5 , in 
red needles. (2) Santal, C 8 H 6 3 , colorless scales. (3) Pterocarpin, C 20 H ]6 O 6 . 
(4) Homopterocarpin, C 24 H 24 6 , colorless crystals.] 

Red Saunders is contained in Tinctura Lavandulae Composita. 

Action and Therapeutics. 
Red Saunders is used to color preparations. 



GROUP XVIII. 

Vegetable substances whose action is mechanical. 

Cotton, [Pyroxylin], Oil of Theobroma, Mastic [India-rubber, Benzin, 
Carbon Disulphide,] Starch, [Lycopodium, Quillaja]. 

GOSSYPIUM PURIFACATUM. 
[PURIFIED COTTON. Synonym.— Absorbent Cotton. The hairs 
of the seed of Gossypium herbaceum Linne, and of other species of Gos- 
sypium (nat. ord. Malvacece), freed from adhering impurities, and deprived of 
fatty matter. Habitat. — Tropical Asia and Africa ; cultivated in tropical and 
subtropical countries. 



560 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Characters. — White, soft, fine filaments, appearing under the micro- 
scope as hollow, flattened and twisted bands, spirally striate, and slightly thick- 
ened at the edges ; inodorous and tasteless ; insoluble in ordinary solvents, 
but soluble in Copper Ammonium Sulphate solution.] 

PYROXYLINUM. — Pyroxylin. Synonyms. — Gun Cotton. [Soluble 
Gun Cotton, Calloxylin. Purified Cotton, 100 ; is immersed in a mixture of Sul- 
phuric, 2200; and Nitric Acids, 1400 ; washed with a large quantity of water, 
drained and dried, then dissolved in Alcohol, I volume ; and Ether, 3 volumes. 

Preparations. 

1. Collodium. — Collodion. Pyroxylin, 30 ; dissolved in Ether, 
750; and Alcohol, 250. 

2. Collodium Flexile.— Flexible Collodion. Collodion, 920; 
Canada Turpentine, 50; Castor Oil, 30. 

3. Collodium Cantharidatum. — Cantharidal Collodion. Syn- 
onym. — Blistering Collodion. Cantharides, 6o; by percolation with 
Chloroform, evaporation and solution of residue in Flexible Collo- 
dium, 85. 

4. Collodium Stypticum. — See Tannic Acid, p. 501.] 

Action and Therapeutics. 

The use[s] of cotton [are] well known. Pyroxylin is only used 
to make collodion. Collodion, when painted on the skin, rapidly 
dries from evaporation of the ether, and covers the skin with a thin 
protective film. Collodium Flexile has the same properties, but it 
does not crack, as collodion often does. These preparations are 
protective to small wounds, and are used after slight operations. 
[OLEUM GOSSYPII SEMINIS. 

COTTON SEED OIL.— A fixed oil expressed from the seed of 
Gossypium herbaceum Linne, and other species of Gossypium (nat. ord. Mal- 
vacece), and subsequently purified. Habitat.- — Asia and Africa; cultivated. 

Characters. — A pale yellow, oily liquid, without odor, and having a 
bland, nut-like taste and a neutral reaction. Sp. gr., 0.920 to 0.930. Solu- 
bility. — Slightly soluble in Alcohol, but readily soluble in Ether, Chloroform, 
or Carbon Disulphide. 

Composition. — (1) Olein. (2) Palmatin. (3) Coloring matter. 

Cotton Seed Oil is used in Linimentum Ammoniac and Linimentum Cam- 
phorse. 

Uses. 
It is used simply as a bland, nutritious oil, and in liniments.] 



MASTIC, INDIA-RUBBER. 561 

OLEUM THEOBROMATIS. 

OIL OF THEOBROMA. Synony?n. — Butter of Cacao. [A fixed 
oil expressed from the seed of Tkeobroma Cacao Linn6 (nat. ord. Sterculi- 
acece). Habitat. — South America. 

Characters. — A yellowish-white solid, having a faint, agreeable odor j 
and a bland, chocolate-like taste. Sp. gr., 0.970 to 0.980. Solubility. — 
Readily in Ether or Chloroform; also soluble in 100 parts of Alcohol. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Stearin. (2) Laurin. 
(3) Arachin. (4) Olein. (5) Glycerides of Formic, Acetic and Butyric 
Acids ] 

Uses. 

It is used to make suppositories, [and as a source of stearic 

acid.] 

MASTICHE. 

MASTIC. — A concrete resinous exudation from Pistacia Lentiscus 
[Linne (nat. ord. Anacardieoe). Habitat. — Mediterranean basin.] 

Characters. — [Globular or elongated tears, of about the size of a pea. 
sometimes covered with a whitish dust, pale yellow, transparent, having a glass- 
like lustre and an opalescent refraction ; brittle ; becoming plastic when 
chewed ; of a weak, somewhat balsamic, resinous odor, and a mild terebin- 
thinate taste. Solubility. — Completely in Ether, and, for the most part, soluble 
in Alcohol.] Resembling Mastic. — Acacia, which is larger, rougher, and 
more opaque. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) A Resin, [C 20 H 32 O.,] 
Mastic hie Acid, 90 per cent; soluble in Alcohol. (2) Masticin, a resin, [in- 
soluble in Alcohol. (3) Volatile oil, C 10 H 16 , 1 to 2 per cent. 

Impurity. — Sandarac. 

Preparation. 

Pilulae Aloes et Mastiches. — See Aloes, p. 418.] 

Uses. 

[Mastic is a mild stimulant, mostly used as a masticatory, for 
filling decayed teeth, and for cements and varnishes]. 

ELASTICA. 

INDIA-RUBBER. —Synonym. — Caoutchouc. The prepared milk- 
juice of various species of Hevea (nat. ord. Euphorbiacece) , known in com- 
merce as Para Rubber. Habitat. — In tropical countries. 

Characters. — In cakes, balls, or hollow, bottle-shaped pieces, externally 
brown to brownish-black, internally brownish or of lighter tint ; very elastic. 
48 



562 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Solubility. — Insoluble in water, diluted acids, or diluted solutions of alkalies ; 
soluble in Chloroform, Carbon Disulphide, Oil of Turpentine, Benzin, and 
Benzol. When heated to about 257 F. it melts, remaining soft and adhesive 
after cooling. Odor faint, peculiar ; nearly taseless. 

Composition. — (1) A solid Hydrocarbon, C 20 H 32 . (2) Fat. (3) Vola- 
tile oil. (4) Coloring matters. On combining it with 10 per cent, of Sulphur, 
Vulcanized Rubber is obtained ; with 50 per cent., and hardening by pressure, 
Vulcanite or Ebonite is produced. 

Uses. 

India-rubber is used for making plasters, bougies, pessaries, 

syringes. 

BENZINUM. 

BENZIN. Synonyms. — Petroleum Benzin, Petroleum Ether. A puri- 
fied distillate from American Petroleum, consisting of hydrocarbons, chiefly of 
the marsh-gas series (C 5 H 12 , C 6 H 14 , and homologous compounds.) 

Characters. — A transparent, colorless, diffusive liquid, of a strong, 
characteristic odor, slightly resembling that of Petroleum, but much less disa- 
greeable, and having a neutral reaction. Sp. gr., 0.670 to 0.675. Solubility — 
Insoluble in water ; soluble in about 6 parts of Alcohol, and readily soluble in 
Ether, Chloroform, Benzol, and fixed and volatile oils. 

Uses. 

Benzin is used to obtain volatile oils by percolation, as a sub- 
stitute for ether in making oleoresins, for dissolving fats, resins, 
caoutchouc and some of the alkaloids. 

CARBONEI DISULPHIDUM. 

CARBON DISULPHIDE.— CS, = 75.93. Synonym.— Carbonei 

Bisulphidum. 

Source. — By combination of Carbon and Sulphur, by distillation. 

Characters. — A clear, colorless, highly refractive liquid, very diffusive, 
having a strong characteristic, but not fetid odor, and a sharp aromatic taste. 
Solubility. — In 535 parts of water ; very soluble in Alcohol, Ether, Chloroform, 
fixed and volatile oils. Sp. gr., 1.268 to 1.269. 

Uses. 

The carbon disulphide is used as a solvent. It is the best 
solvent for rubber and similar bodies. It can be freed from its 
usual disgusting odor by repeated rectification. 



STARCH, LYCOPODIUM. 563 

AMYLUM. 

STARCH. — [The fecula of the seed of Zea Mays Linne (nat. ord. Gra- 
mitiea). Habitat. — Tropical Asia and Africa*; cultivated in tropical and sub- 
tropical countries. 

Characters. — In irregular, angular masses, which are easily reduced to 
a fine powder; white, inodorous, and tasteless ; insoluble in Ether, Alcohol, or 
cold water. Under the microscope appearing as granules, nearly uniform in 
size, more or less angular in outline, with indistinct striae and with a distinct 
hilum near the centre. 

Composition. — Its ultimate composition is C 6 H 10 O 5 , but it consists of a 
mixture of various modifications of Starch-cellulose and Starch-granulose.] 

Prepara-tion. 
Glyceri[tum Amyli. — See Glycerin, p. 513.] 

Action and Therapeutics. 

Starch is chiefly employed for its mechanical properties, on 
account of which it is used as a basis for dusting powders and 
insufflations. The glycerite is a basis for suppositories ; the 
mucilage [B. P., 1 to 40] is a basis for ointments, and may be 
used to suspend insoluble powders or oils. 

[LYCOPODIUM. 

LYCOPODIUM. — The spores of Lycopodium clavatum Linne, and 
of other species of Lycopodium (nat. ord. Lycopodiacece). Habitat. — Europe, 
Asia, and North America, in dry woods. 

Characters. — A fine powder, pale yellowish, very mobile, inodorous 
tasteless, floating upon water and not wetted by it, but sinking on being boiled 
with it, and burning quickly when thrown into a flame. Under the microscope 
the spores are seen to be sphaero-tetrahedral, the surfaces marked with reticu- 
lated ridges, and the edges beset with short projections. 

Composition. — (1) Fixed oil, 47 to 49 per cent. (2) Cane Sugar, 2 per 
cent. (3) Volatile base, Methylamine, in minute quantities. 

Impurities. — Pollen, Starch and Sand. 

Action and Therapeutics. 

Lycopodium has a great power of absorbing oils and oleo- 
resins. It is excellent as a basis of pills, especially as it protects 
hygroscopic substances, for it is powerfully repellant to water. 
It is useful as a dusting powder, and also as a basis for insufflations. 



564 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDIC A. 

QUILLAJA. 

QUILLAJA. Synonyms. — Quillaia, Soap Bark. The inner bark of 
Quillaja Saponaria Molina (nat. ord. Rosacea). Habitat. — Chili and Peru. 

Characters. — Flat, large pieces, about 5 mm. thick ; outer surface brown- 
ish-white, often with small patches of brown cork attached, otherwise smooth ; 
inner surface whitish, smooth ; fracture splintery, checkered with pale, brownish 
bast fibres imbedded in white tissue; inodorous; taste persistently acrid ; the 
dust very sternutatory. 

Composition. — (1) Saponin, about 9 per cent., a mixture oftheGluco- 
side, Quillaic Acid, C ]9 H 30 O 10 , and Quillaia-Sapotoxin, C 17 H 26 O ]0 . 

Dose, y to y 2 dr. 

Preparation. 

Tinctura Quillajae. — Tincture of Quillaja. Quillaja, 200; by 
boiling with water, straining and washing, addition of Alcohol, 350; 
filtration and water to 1000. 

Dose, y z to 2 fl. dr. 

Uses. 
Quillaja imparts a soapy character to cold water, and has 
been much used to infuse oily liquids through water. The tinc- 
ture has been used as an expectorant, when a pleasant remedy is 
desired. It does not provoke diarrhoea or vomiting, and has a 
somewhat sweetish, rather agreeable taste. 



GROUP XIX. 

Vegetable substances whose action is not known. 

Guaiacum, [Xanthoxylum,] Pareira, Sarsaparilla, [Menispernum, Stil- 
lingia, Burdock,] Sassafras, [Chelidonium, Calendula, Scutel- 
laria, Dulcamara, Viburnum, Chimaphila.] 

GUAIACUM. 

GUAIACI LIGNUM. — Guaiacum Wood. Synonym. — Lignum vitae. 
The heart-wood of Guaiacum officinale [Linn£, and of Guaiacum sanctum 
Linne (nat. ord. Zygophyllece) . Habitat. — West Indies, North and South 
America. 

Characters. — Heavier than water, hard, brown or greenish-brown, resin- 
ous, marked with irregular, concentric circles, surrounded by a yellowish albur- 
num, splitting irregularly; when heated, emitting a balsamic odor; taste 
slightly acrid. Guaiacum Wood is generally used in the form of raspings or 



GUAIACUM. 565 

turnings, which should be greenish-brown, containing few particles of a whitish 
color, and should acquire a dark bluish-green color on the addition of Nitric 
Acid.] 

Composition. — The principal constituent is the Resin, 20 to 25 per cent. ; 
see below. 

Guaiacum Wood is contained in Decoctum Sarsaparillae Compositum. 

Dose, }( to 1 dr. 

GUAIACI RESINA. — Guaiac. The resin of the [wood of Guaiacum 
officinale Linne (nat. ord. Zygophyllece). 

Source. — By melting the resin of the heartwood with fire. 

Characters. — In irregular masses, or subglobular pieces, externally 
greenish-brown, internally of a glassy lustre, and, in recent Guaiac, usually 
reddish-brown, transparent in thin splinters, fusible, feebly aromatic, the odor 
becoming stronger in heating; taste somewhat acrid; powder grayish, turning 
green on exposure to air. ] Guaiacum Resin on dry distillation yields Guaiacol, 
also found in Creosote {see p. 280). Resembling Guaiacum Resin. — Myrrh, 
Scammony, Benzoin, Aloes, and Resin, but these have no green tinge. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Guaiaconic Acid, 
C 19 H 20 O 5 (70 per cent.). (2) Guaiacic Acid. (3) Guaiaretic Acid, [C 20 H 26 O 4 
(about 10 per cent.).] These are insoluble in water, but soluble in alkalies. 
(4) Little Gum. 

Incompatibles. — Mineral acids, Spirit of Nitrous Ether. 

\_Guaiac Resin is contained in Pilulae Antimonii Composite.] 

Dose, 5 to 30 gr. 

Preparations . 

[1. Tinctura Guaiaci. — Tincture of Guaiac. Guaiac, 200. By 
maceration with Alcohol and filtration to 1000. 
Dose, y 2 to 1 fl. dr.] 

2. Tinctura Guaiaci Ammoniata. — [Ammoniated Tincture of 
Guaiac. Guaiac, 200; by maceration with Aromatic Spirit of Ammonia, 
and filtration to 1 000 

Dose, y 2 to 1 fl. dr.] 

Action. 

External. — None. 

Internal. - Guaiacum resin gives rise to an acrid feeling in 
the throat and a sensation of heat in the epigastrium. It in- 
creases the secretions and movements of the intestine and stomach. 
Large doses are gastro -intestinal irritants, causing vomiting and 
purging. It reflexly stimulates the heart. 



566 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Therapeutics. 

Internal. — Guaiacum resin is so nasty and its value so doubt- 
ful that it is rarely ordered. It is used empirically, sometimes 
successfully, for chronic sore throat, especially if the subject has 
had syphilis. Lozenges (2 gr. of the resin with black currant 
paste) are prepared. The mixture is said to be a more efficacious 
preparation that the tincture. Thirty grains of the powder itself 
may be placed on the back of the throat and swallowed. Guai- 
acum is a mild purgative, and it has been given as a pill in 
chronic constipation ; it was formerly employed in chronic rheu- 
matism. 

[XANTHOXYLUM. 

XANTHOXYLON. Synonym.— Prickly Ash. The bark of Xan- 
thoxylum americanum Miller, and of Xanthoxylum Clava-Herculis Linne 
(nat. ord. Rutacece). Habitat. — North America. 

Characters. — Xanthoxylum americanum (Northern Prickly Ash) is in 
curved or quilled fragments, about 1 mm. thick; outer surface brownish-gray, 
with whitish patches, and minute, black dots, faintly furrowed, with some 
brown, glossy, straight, two-edged spines, linear at the base, and about 5 mm. 
long ; inner surface whitish, smooth ; fracture short, non-fibrous, green in the 
outer and yellowish in the inner layer; inodorous; taste bitterish, very pungent. 

Xanthoxylum Clava-Herculis (Southern Prickly Ash) resembles the 
preceding, but is about 2 mm. thick, and is marked by many conical, corky 
projections, sometimes 2 cm. high, and by stout, brown spines, rising from a 
corky base. Resembling Xanthoxylum. — Aralia spinosa, which is nearly 
smooth externally, and beset with slender prickles in transverse rows. 

Composition. — It contains — (1) An acrid, green oil. (2) Resin, crystal- 
line, white and tasteless. (3) An acrid, soft resin. (4) Bitter principle, 
probably an alkaloid. (5) Little Tannin. 

Dose, 10 to 30 gr. 

Preparation. " 

Extractum Xanthoxyli Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Xanthoxy- 
lum. By maceration and percolation with Alcohol, and evaporation. 
Dose, 10 to 30 m. 

Action and Uses. 

Xanthoxylum has about the same action as guaiac. It pro- 
duces, when swallowed, a sensation of heat. It enjoys some 
reputation as a remedy for chronic rheumatism, and has been 



PAREIRA, SARSAPARILLA. 567 

used in syphilis and chronic hepatic disorders. Used as a masti- 
catory, it is a popular remedy for tooth-ache.] 

PAREIRA. 

[PAREIRA. Synonym. — Pareira Brava. The root of Chondodendron 
tomenlosum Ruiz et Pavon (nat. ord. Menispermacece). Habitat. — Brazil. 

Characters. — Subcylindrical, somewhat tortuous pieces, about 10 to 15 
cm. long, varying in thickness from 2 to 10 cm. ; externally dark brownish- 
gray, with transverse ridges and fissures and longitudinal furrows ; internally 
pale brown, and, when freshly cut, having a waxy lustre ; bark thin ; wood 
porous, in two or more somewhat irregularly concentric circles, with rather 
large medullary rays, and no distinct central pith ; inodorous ; taste bitter. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — Pelosine, an alkaloid, about 
0.5 per cent., identical with Berberine and Buxine.] 

Incompatibles. — Ferric Salts, Lead Salts, and Tincture of Iodine. 

Dose, y 2 to 1 dr. 

Preparation. 

Extractum Pareirse [Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Pareira. By 
maceration and percolation with Glycerin, Alcohol, and water, and 
evaporation. 

Dose, ^ to 1 fl. dr.] 

Action and Therapeutics. 

Pareira is not known to have any physiological action. It is 
used empirically in chronic inflammation of the genito-urinary 
tract, such as pyelitis, cystitis, gonorrhoea, and gleet. 

SARSAPARILLA. 

SARSA[PARILLA. The root of Smilax officinalis Kunth, Smilax 
medica Chamisso et Schlechtendal, Smilax papyracea Duhamel, and of other 
undetermined species of Smilax (nat. ord. Liliacece). Habitat. — Tropical 
America, from Mexico to Brazil. 

Characters. About 4 or 5 mm. thick, very long, cylindrical, longi- 
tudinally wrinkled, externally grayish-brown or orange -brown ; internally 
showing a whitish and mealy, or somewhat horny, cortical layer, surrounding 
a circular wood-zone, the latter enclosing a broad pith; nearly inodorous; 
taste mucilaginous, bitter, and acrid.] Resembling Sarsaparilla. — Senega, 
twisted and keeled ; Hemidesmus, cracked transversely. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Parillin or Smilacin, 
[about 0.2 per cent., an acrid glucoside, soluble in hot water and Alcohol, in- 



568 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

soluble in Ether] , closely resembling Saponin. (2) Resin. (3) Trace of a 
Volatile Oil. [(4) Calcium Oxalate and other salts.] 

Incompatibles. — Alkalies. 

Dose, y 2 to 1 dr. 

Preparations . 

1. Decoctum Sarsa[parillae Compositum. — Compound Decoc- 
tion of Sarsaparilla. Sarsaparilla, 100 ; Sassafras, 20; Guaiacum 
Wood, 20; Glycyrrhiza, 20; Mezereum, 10. By boiling, maceration 
in water and straining to 1000. 

Dose, 1 to 4 fl. oz.] 

2. Extractum Sarsa[parillae Fluidum.— Fluid Extract of Sarsa- 
parilla. By maceration and percolation with Alcohol and water, and 
evaporation. 

Dose, }i to 1 fl. dr.] 

3. Extractum Sarsa[parillae Fluidum Compositum. — Com- 
pound Fluid Extract of Sarsaparilla. Sarsaparilla, 750; Glycyrrhiza, 
120; Sassafras, 100 ; Mezereum, 30. By maceration and percolation 
in Glycerin, Alcohol and water, and evaporation, to 1000. 

Dose, ^ to 1 fl. dr. 

4. Syrupus Sarsaparillae Compositus. —Compound Syrup of 
Sarsaparilla. Fluid Extract of Sarsaparilla, 200; Fluid Extract of 
Glycyrrhiza, 15; Fluid Extract of Senna, 15; Oil of Sassafras, t\> ; Oil 
of Anise, tV; Oil of Gaultheria, to; sugar, 650. By mixing, filtering, 
dissolving the sugar, straining with water to 1 000. 

Dose, ^ to 1 fl. oz. 

Action and Therapeutics. 
Sarsaparilla is not known to have any physiological action. 
It is never given alone, therefore we are ignorant of its therapeu- 
tical effects. Probably it has none. 

[MENISPERMUM. 

MENISPERMUM. — Canadian Moonseed. Synonym. — Yellow Par- 
illa. The rhizome and roots of Menispermum canadense Linne (nat. ord. 
Menispermacece) . Habitat. — North America, in moist thickets. 

Characters. — Rhizome several feet long, about 5 mm. thick, brown or 
yellowish-brown, somewhat knotty, finely-wrinkled, longitudinally and beset 
with numerous thin, rather brittle roots; fracture tough, woody; internally 
yellowish, the bark rather thick, the wood-rays broad, porous, and longest on 
the lower side ; pith distinct ; nearly inodorous ; taste bitter. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) an alkaloid, Menispine, 



STILLINGIA, LAPPA. 569 

white, insoluble in Benzol and alkalies. (2) Berberine. (3) Tannin. (4) 
Resin. 

Dose, 5 to 30 gr. 

Preparation. 

Extractum Menispermi Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Meni- 
spermum. By maceration and percolation with Alcohol and water, and 
evaporation. 

Dose, 5 to 30 m. 

Uses. 
The uses of Menispermum are similar to those of Sarsaparilla. 

STILLINGIA. 

STILLINGIA. Synonym. — Queen's Root. The root of Stillingia 
sylvatica Linne (nat. ord. Euphorbiacece). Habitat. — Southern United States* 
in sandy soil. 

Characters. — About 30 cm. long, and nearly 5 cm. thick, subcylindrical, 
slightly branched, compact, wrinkled, tough, grayish-brown, breaking with a 
fibrous fracture, showing a thick bark and porous wood, the inner bark and 
medullary rays having numerous yellowish-brown resin-cells ; odor peculiar, 
unpleasant ; taste bitter, acrid, and pungent. 

Composition. — (1) Sylvacrol, an acrid resin, soluble in Alcohol and 
Chloroform. (2) Probably a glucoside. (3) Resin. (4) Volatile Oil. (5) 
Tannin. 

Dose, %■ to 1 dr.] 

Preparation. 

Extractum Stillingiae Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Stillingia. 
By maceration and percolation with diluted Alcohol and evaporation. 
Dose, % to 1 fl. dr. 

Action and Uses. 
Stillingia is in large doses emetic, cathartic, but in smaller 
ones, alterative. It is a valuable remedy in syphilis and in the 
cutaneous and hepatic diseases which are benefited by so-called 
alterative medicines. 

LAPPA. 

LAPPA. Synonym. — Burdock. The root of Arctium Lappa Linne, 
and of some other species of Arctium (nat. ord. Composite). Habitat. — 
Europe and Northern Asia; naturalized in North America in waste places. 

• Characters. — About 30 cm. or more long, and, in its thickest portion, 
from I to 2 cm. thick ; nearly simple, fusiform, fleshy, longitudinally wrinkled, 



570 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

crowned with a tuft of whitish, soft, hairy leaf-stalks ; grayish-brown, inter- 
nally paler ; fracture somewhat horny ; bark rather thick, the inner part and 
the wood radially striate, the parenchyma free from starch, — often with cavi- 
ties lined with white remains of tissue; odor feeble and unpleasant; taste 
mucilaginous, sweetish and somewhat bitter. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (i) Inulin ; (2) Possibly a 
glucoside. (3) Resin. (4) A little Tannin. 

Dose, ^ to 1 dr. 

Preparation. 

Extractum Lappae Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Lappa. By 
maceration and percolation with diluted Alcohol, and evaporation. 
Dose, y z to 1 fl. dr. 

Action and Uses. 
Burdock is considered to be a diuretic and diaphoretic al- 
terative. It has been recommended in the treatment of various 
chronic skin diseases, especially in psoriasis and acne. 

SASSAFRAS. 

SASSAFRAS. — [The bark of the root of Sassifras variifoliu?n (Salis- 
bury) O. Kuntze (nat. ord. Laurinece). Habitat. — North America from 
Eastern Texas and Kansas eastward to Florida and Ontario ; in woods. 

Characters. — In irregular fragments, deprived of the gray, corky 
layer ; bright rust-brown, soft, fragile, with a short, corky fracture ; the inner 
surface smooth; strongly fragrant; taste sweetish, aromatic, and somewhat 
astringent. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) A volatile oil, about 5 
per cent. (2) Sassafrid, a peculiar decomposition product of Tannic Acid. 
(3) Resin. (4) Tannin.] 

Sassafras is contained in Decoctum Sarsa[parillae Compositum, and Ex- 
tractum Sarsaparillae Fluidum Compositum. 

Dose, % to 1 dr.] 

SASSAFRAS MEDULLA.— Sassafras Pith. The pith of Sassafras 
variifolium (Salisbury) O. Kuntze (nat. ord. Laurinece) . 

Characters. — In slender, cylindrical pieces, often curved or coiled, 
light, spongy, white, inodorous and insipid. Macerated in water it forms a 
mucilaginous liquid, which is not precipitated on the addition of Alcohol. 

Preparation. 
Mucilago Sassafras Medullae. — Mucilage of Sassafras Pith. 
Sassafras Pith, 2 ; water, 100. By maceration and straining. 
Dose, freely. 



CHELIDONIUM, CALENDULA. 571 

OLEUM SASSAFRAS.— Oil of Sassafras. A volatile oil distilled 
from Sassafras. 

Characters. — -A yellowish or reddish-yellow liquid, having the charac- 
teristic odor of Sassafras without the odor of Camphor, and a warm, aromatic 
taste. It becomes darker and thicker by age and exposure to the air. Sp. gr., 
1.070 to 1.090. Solubility. — Soluble, in all proportions, in Alcohol ; also sol- 
uble, in all proportions, in Glacial Acetic Acid, and in Carbon Disulphide. 

Oil of Sassafras is contained in [Syrupus Sarsaparillae Compositus. 

Dose, 1 to 5 m ] 

Action and Therapeutics. 

The external and internal action of sassafras is, as far as is 
known, the same as that of volatile oils generally. The mucilage 
is somewhat stimulant in its action and an excellent vehicle. 

[CHELIDONIUM. 

CHELIDONIUM. Synonym.— Celandine. The entire plant, Chel- 
idonium majus Linne (nat. ord. Papaveracece). Habitat.- — Europe; natural- 
ized in North America. 

Characters. — Root several-headed, branching, reddish-brown; stem 
about 50 cm. long, light green, hairy; leaves about 15 cm. long, thin, petio- 
late, the upper ones smaller and sessile, light green, on the lower side 
glaucous, lyrate-pinnatiftd, the pinnae ovate-oblong, obtuse, coarsely crenate or 
incised and the terminal one often three-lobed ; flowers in small, long- 
peduncled umbels with two sepals and four yellow petals ; capsule linear, two- 
valved and many-seeded. The fresh plant contains a saffron-colored milk- 
juice, and has an unpleasant odor and acrid taste. 

Composition. — (1) Ckelerythrine, C 21 H 17 NC\. (2) Sanguinarine, 
C 29 H 15 NC\. (3) Chelidonine, C 20 H 19 NO 5 . (4) Protopine, C 20 H 17 NO 5 , and 
Chelidoxanthin, Chelidonic and Chelidoninic Acids.] 

Dose, 15 to 60 gr. 

Uses. 
It has been found useful in jaundice ; it was the chief in- 
gredient in the old decoctum ad ictericos of the Edinburgh 

Pharmacopoeia. 

CALENDULA. 

CALENDULA. Synonym.— Marigold. The florets of Calendula 
officinalis Linn6 (nat. ord. Composite). Habitat. — Levant and Southern 
Europe ; cultivated. 

Characters. — Florets about 12 mm. long, linear and strap-shaped, deli- 
cately veined in a longitudinal direction, yellow or orange-colored, three- 



572 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

toothed above, the short hairy tube enclosing the remnants of a filiform style 
terminating in two elongated branches ; odor slight and somewhat heavy ; taste 
somewhat bitter and faintly saline. 

Composition.— The chief constituents are — (i) A peculiar principle, Cal- 
endulin. (2) An amorphous, bitter principle. (3) Gum. 

Dose, 15 to 60 gr. 

Preparation. 

Tinctura Calendulae. — Tincture of Calendula. Calendula, 200. 
By maceration and percolation with Alcohol to 1000. 
Dose, 1 to 4 fl. dr. 

Uses. 

Calendula was formerly supposed to be antispasmodic, sudo- 
rific and emmenagogue, but now is believed to have no therapeutic 

value. 

SCUTELLARIA. 

SCUTELLARIA. Synonym. — Scullcap. The herb of Scutellaria 
lateriflora Linne (nat. ord. Labiates). Habitat. — North America; west to 
Alabama, New Mexico and Oregon, in damp thickets. 

Characters. — About 50 cm. long, smooth; stem quadrangular, 
branched ; leaves opposite, petiolate, about 5 cm. long, ovate-lanceolate or 
ovate-oblong, serrate ; flowers in axillary, one-sided racemes, with a pale blue 
corolla, and bilabiate calyx, closed in fruit, the upper lip helmet-shaped ; odor 
slight ; taste bitterish. 

Composition. — (1) A bitter principle. (2) Volatile oil, a trace. 

Dose, 1 to 2 dr. 

Preparation. 

Extractum Scutellariae Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Scutel- 
laria. By maceration and percolation with diluted Alcohol and evap- 
oration. 

Dose, 1 to 2 fl. dr. 

Uses. 

Scutellaria has little medicinal effect. It is used as a nervous 

sedative. 

DULCAMARA. 

DULCAMARA. Synonym. — Bittersweet. The young branches of 
Solanum Dulcamara Linns' (nat. ord. Solanacece). Habitat. — Europe and 
Asia ; naturalized in North America. 

Characters. — About 5 mm., or less, thick, cylindrical, somewhat angu- 
lar, longitudinally striate, more or less warty, usually hollow in the center, cut 



VIBURNUM. 573 

into short sections. The thin bark is externally pale greenish, or light green- 
ish brown, marked with alternate leaf-scars, and internally green ; the greenish 
or yellowish wood forms one or two concentric rings. Odor slight; taste 
bitter, afterwards sweet. 

Composition — (i) Dulcamarin, C 22 H 34 6 , 0.4 per cent, a glucoside, sol- 
uble in water and Alcohol, and yields frothy solutions. (2) Resin. (3) Gum. 
Dose, 1 to 2 dr. 

Preparation. 

Extractum Dulcamarae Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Dul- 
camara. By maceration and percolation with diluted Alcohol and 
evaporation. 

Dose, 1 to 2 fi. dr. 

Action and Uses. 

Dulcamara possesses feeble narcotic properties, with the power 
of increasing the secretions, particularly those of the kidneys and 
skin. It has been employed chiefly for cutaneous eruptions, 
particularly of a scaly character. 

VIBURNUM. 

VIBURNUM PRUNIFOLIUM. Synonym.— Black Haw. The 
bark of Viburnum prunifolium Linne (nat. ord. Caprifoliacetz). Habitat. — 
United States, westward to Kansas and Mississippi ; in thickets. 

Characters. — In thin pieces or quills, glossy purplish -brown, with scat- 
tered warts and minute black dots ; when collected from old wood, grayish- 
brown ; the thin, corky layer easily removed from the green layer ; inner surface 
whitish, smooth; fracture short; inodorous, somewhat astringent and bitter. 

Composition. — Its chief constituents are — (1) Brown, bitter Resin. (2) 
Vibumin, a greenish-yellow, bitter principle. (3) Valerianic Acid. (4) 
Tannin. (5) Oxalates. (6) Citrates. (7) Malates. 

Dose, % to 1 dr. 

Preparation. 

Extractum Viburni Prunifolii Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Vi- 
burnum Prunifolium. By maceration and percolation with Alcohol and 
water, and evaporation. 

Dose, y to 1 fl. dr. 

VIBURNUM OPULUS. Synonym.— Cramp Bark. The bark of 
Virburmim Opulus Linne (nat. ord. Caprifoliaceoi). Habitat. — North 
America, from New Brunswick westward, and southward to Pennsylvania, in 
low grounds. 



574 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Characters. — In flattish or curved bands, or occasionally in quills, some- 
times 30 cm. long, and from I to 1.5 mm. thick; outer surface ash-gray, 
marked with scattered somewhat transversely elongated warts of a brownish 
color, due to abrasion, and more or less marked with blackish dots, and chiefly 
in a longitudinal direction with black, irregular lines or thin ridges ; under- 
neath the easily-removed corky layer of a pale brownish or somewhat reddish- 
brown color ; the inner surface -dingy white or brownish; fracture tough, the 
tissue separating in layers ; inodorous ; taste somewhat astringent, and bitter. 
„ Composition. — The same as of Vifatmum Prunifolium. 

Dose, 1 to 2 dr. 

Preparation. 

Extractum Viburni Opuli Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Vibur- 
num Opulus. By maceration and percolation with Alcohol and water, 
and evaporation. 

Dose, 1 to 2 fi. dr. 

Action and Uses. 

Viburnum is believed to be an antispasmodic, diuretic and 
tonic. It is especially used in the nervous diseases of pregnancy 
and to prevent miscarriage. It has considerable reputation as a 
remedy for spasmodic dysmenorrhcea, in the treatment of after- 
pains, and in menorrhagia. This remedy has been in extensive 
use for more than twenty years and is undoubtedly of value. 

CHIMAPHILA. 

CHIMAPHILA. Synonym. — Pipsissewa. The leaves of Chimaphila 
umbellata (Linne) Nuttal (nat. ord. Ericacece). Habitat. — Northern Conti- 
nents. 

Characters. — About 5 cm. long, oblanceolate, sharply serrate above, 
wedge-shaped and nearly entire towards the base ; coriaceous, smooth, and 
dark -green on the upper surface. It is nearly inodorous, and has an astringent 
and bitterish taste. 

Composition. — (1) Arbutin. (2) Ericolin. (3) Ursone. (4) Tannin, 4 
percent. (5) Chimaphilin, in yellow, tasteless, volatile prisms. 

Dose, y z to 2 dr. 

Preparation. 

Extractum Chimaphilae Fluidum. — Fluid Extract of Chima- 
phila. By maceration and percolation with diluted Alcohol, and evap- 
oration. 

Dose, ]/ z to 2 fl. dr. 



musk. 575 

Action and Uses. 
This plant is diuretic, tonic and astringent. It is used for 
rheumatism and nephritic affections. 

Section. II — PHARMACOPCEIAL SUBSTANCES DERIVED FROM 
THE ANIMAL KINGDOM. 

MOSCHUS. 

MUSK. — The dried secretion from the preputial follicles of Moschus mos- 
chiferus [Linne (class Mammalia ; order Ruminantia). Habitat. — Central 
Asia. 

Characters. — In irregular, crumbly, somewhat unctuous grains, dark 
reddish-brown, having a peculiar, penetrating and persistent odor, and a bitter- 
ish taste. It is contained in oval or roundish sacs about 4 to 5 cm. in diameter, 
on one side invested with a smoothish membrane, on the other side covered 
with stiff, appressed, grayish hairs, concentrically arranged around two orifices 
near the centre. Solubility. — About 10 per cent, of Musk is soluble in Alco- 
hol, the tincture being light brownish-yellow, and on the addition of water 
becoming slightly turbid. About 50 per cent, of Musk is soluble in water, the 
solution being deep brown, faintly acid, and strongly odorous. 

Composition. — (1) Ammonia. (2) An acid. (3) Cholesterin. (4) 
Fat. (5) Wax. (6) Gelatinous and albuminous principles. The odorous 
principle has not been isolated. 

Impurities. — Dried blood, resin, lead and other substances. 

Dose, 2 to 10 gr. 

Preparation. 

Tinctura Moschi. — Tincture of Musk. Musk, 50; Alcohol, 
450; water, 450; by maceration and filtration with diluted Alcohol 

to IOOO. 

Dose, )i to 1 fl. dr.] 

Action. 

Musk is a very powerful diffusible stimulant, especially to 
the heart and nervous system. How it acts is not known. It also 
stimulates the respiratory centre. Occasionally it produces head- 
ache and nausea. 

Therapeutics. 

It has been used, and apparently with great success, in the 
collapse and prostration of long-continued severe diseases, such 
as typhoid fever and pneumonia. Various functional nervous dis- 



576 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

eases, as hysteria are occasionally treated with it. Its high price 
limits its use. It is usually given as a pill. 

SEVUM. 

SUET. \_Synonym. — Mutton Suet. The internal fat of the abdomen 
of Ovis Aries Linne (class Mammalia ; order Ruminantia), purified by melt- 
ing and straining. Habitat. — Domesticated. 

Characters. — A white, solid fat, nearly inodorous, and having a bland 
taste when fresh, but becoming rancid on prolonged exposure to the air. 
Solubility. — Insoluble in water or cold Alcohol ; soluble in about 60 parts of 
Ether, and slowly in 2 parts of Benzin. 

Composition. — Its chief constituents are — (1) Palmitin. (2) Stearin. 
(3) Olein. (4) Hircin.] 

Suet is contained in Unguentum Hydrargyri. 

[Uses. 

Suet is used chiefly in cerates.] 

[ACIDUM STEARICUM. 

STEARIC ACID.— HC 18 H 35 2 =283.38. 

Source. — An organic acid, in its commercial, more or less impure form, 
usually obtained from the more solid fats, chiefly tallow. By boiling with 
soda-lye, the Stearin is decomposed, Sodium Stearate being formed with the 
liberation of Glycerin, C 3 H 5 (C 18 H 35 2 ) 3 + 3Na(OH) 3 =C 3 H 5 (OH) 3 -f- 3 NaC 18 
H 35 2 . The soap is decomposed by heating with water and Sulphuric Acid, 
setting free the fatty acids which are removed and purified with hot Alcohol. 
On cooling, Stearic Acid will separate. 

Characters. — A hard, white, somewhat glossy solid, odorless and taste- 
less, and permanent in the air. Solubility. — Insoluble in water ; soluble in 
about 45 parts of Alcohol at 59 F. ; readily soluble in boiling Alcohol, 
and in Ether. 

Uses. 
Stearic acid is used in the manufacture of glycerin supposi- 
tories. In combination with zinc and copper, as stearates of those 
metals, unofficial preparations have been introduced and used with 
success in the treatment of various diseases of the skin.] 

ADEPS LANiE HYDROSUS. 
HYDROUS WOOL-FAT. Synonyms.— Lanolin, [GEsypum. The 
purified fat of the wool of sheep [Ovis Aries Linne; class Mammalia ; order 
Ruminantia), mixed with not more than 30 per cent, of water. Habitat. — 
Domesticated. 



ISINGLASS, SUGAR OF MILK. 577 

Source. — Sheep's wool is treated with a weak soda solution, and the 
solution acidulated. The remaining wool is treated with Benzin, the liquid 
distilled, and the residue deprived of color by oxidizing agents, or sunlight. 

Characters. — A yellowish-white or nearly white, ointment-like mass, 
having a faint, peculiar odor. Solubility. — Insoluble in water, but miscible 
with twice its weight of the latter, without losing its ointment-like character. 

Composition. — Its chief constituents are — (i) Cholesterin, C 26 H 43 (OH). 
(2) Ethers of Stearic, Palmitic, Oleic, Valerianic and other acids.] 

Action and Therapeutics. 
Hydrous wool-fat when gently rubbed in the skin is more 
quickly absorbed than most fats, hence it is a useful basis if we wish 
to administer substances — as, for example, mercury — by inunction. 
[It is undoubtedly soothing to the skin, and often makes an ex- 
cellent basis for ointments expected to act especially upon the skin.] 

[ICHTHYOCOLLA. 

ISINGLASS. — The swimming-bladder of Acipenser Huso Linne, and 
of other species of Acipenser (class Pisces ; order Sturiones), Habitat. — 
Caspian and Black Seas and tributary rivers. 

Characters. — In separate sheets, sometimes rolled, of a horny or pearly 
appearance; whitish or yellowish, semi-transparent, iridescent, inodorous, 
insipid; almost entirely soluble in boiling water and in boiling diluted Alcohol. 
A solution of Isinglass in 24 parts of boiling water forms, on cooling, a trans- 
parent jelly. 

Composition. — (1) Gelatin (Glutin). (2) Insoluble membrane, 2 to 30 
per cent. 

Dose, freely. 

Preparation. 

Emplastrum Ichthyocollae. — Isinglass plaster. Synonym. — 
Court plaster. Isinglass, 10 ; Alcohol, 40; Glycerin, I; hot water, 
sufficient for solution. To be applied with a brush upon taffeta, pre- 
viously coated on the back with Tincture of Benzoin. 

Uses. 
Isinglass is an emollient and nutritive substance, and is chiefly 
used externally as a protective.] 

SACCHARUM LACTIS. 
. SUGAR OF MILK.— C 12 H 22 O u [+ H 2 0=35 9 .i6. A peculiar, crys- 
talline sugar, obtained from the whey of cow's milk by evaporation, and 
purified by recrystallization. 
49 



57^ ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Characters. — White, hard, crystalline masses, yielding a white powder 
feeling gritty on the tongue, odorless and having a faintly sweet taste. Per- 
manent in the air. Solubility. — In about 6 parts of water; insoluble in 
Alcohol, Ether or Chloroform. 

Dose, indefinite.] 

Sugar of Milk is used in [Pulvis Ipecacuanha et Opii and Trituratio 
Elaterini.] 

[Uses.] 

Sugar of milk is used in triturations and as a vehicle. It is a 

non -nitrogenous bland article of diet and has been used in con 

sumption and other wasting diseases. [According to See, it is a 

diuretic which may be employed to advantage in cardiac dropsy.] 

FEL BOVIS. 

[OXGALL. Synonym. — Fel Tauri. The fresh bile of Bos Taurus 
Linne (class Mammalia; order Ruminantia). Habitat. — Domesticated. 

Characters. — A brownish-green or dark green, somewhat viscid liquid, 
having a peculiar, unpleasant odor, and a disagreeable, bitter taste. Sp. gr., 
I.018 to 1.028. 

Dose, 5 to 15 gr.] 

Preparation. 

Fel Bovi[s Purificatum. — Purified Oxgall. 

Source. — Evaporate Oxgall, 300, to 100; add Alcohol 100. 
Decant, filter, and after distillation of the Alcohol, evaporate. 

Characters. — A yellowish-green, soft solid, having a peculiar 
odor, and a partly sweet and partly bitter taste. Solubility. — Very 
soluble in water and in Alcohol. 

Dose, 5 to 15 gr.] 

Action and Therapeutics. 

Oxgall has been used as a cholagogue purgative in cases of 
constipation, in which the pale color of the faeces indicates a defi- 
cient secretion of bile. [It has also been used as an antiseptic in 
typhoid fever and in intestinal fermentation ] An enema of 
twenty grains or more of it dissolved in an ounce or two of water 
is very useful in case of impacted faeces, in which the rectum is so 
full that there is not sufficient room for a larger enema. 
PEPSINUM. 

PEPSIN. — [A proteolytic ferment or enzyme obtained from the glandular 
layer of fresh stomachs from healthy pigs, and capable of digesting not less 



pepsin. 579 

than 3000 times its own weight of freshly coagulated and disintegrated egg 
albumin. 

Source. — The mucous membrane of a pig's stomach, dissected off and 
finely chopped, is macerated in water acidulated with Hydrochloric Acid for 
several days, with frequent stirring. The strained liquid is decanted and 
Sodium Chloride mixed with it. After several hours the floating mixture is 
skimmed from the surface and placed in cotton cloth to drain, and finally sub- 
mitted to strong pressure to get rid of the saline solution. 

Characters. — A fine, white, or yellowish-white, amorphous powder, or 
thin, pale yellow or yellowish, transparent or translucent grains or scales, free 
from any offensive odor, and having a mildly acidulous or slightly saline taste, 
usually followed by a suggestion of bitterness. It slowly attracts moisture 
when exposed to the air. Solubility. — Soluble, or for the most part soluble, in 
about 100 parts of water, with more or less opalescence; more soluble in water 
acidulated with Hydrochloric Acid; insoluble in Alcohol, Ether or Chloroform. 

Dose, 5 to 60 gr. 

PEPSINUM SACCHARATUM.— Saccharated Pepsin. Pepsin, 10; 
Sugar of Milk, 90. By trituration. Saccharated Pepsin should digest 300 
times its own weight of freshly coagulated and disintegrated egg albumin. 

Dose, 5 to 60 gr.] 

Action and Therapeutics. 

Pepsin may be given to help gastric digestion in those in 
whom from old age or long illness the secretion of gastric juice is 
deficient. Thus, for example, it is useful in convalescence from 
acute illness or in cases of cancer of the stomach. It is of no 
use as an aid to the digestion of fatty or carbo-hydrate food. It 
should be given in a powder or a pill directly after meals, and 
should be followed in about half an hour by a dose of hydro- 
chloric acid. The pepsin should be tested before use, as many 
preparations in the market are inert powders. 

Pepsin may be used to predigest albuminous food, either for ad- 
ministration by the mouth or the rectum. Often this is better 
than giving pepsin internally, for morbid processes may be going 
on in the stomach which prevent digestion. The rectum has 
very feeble powers of digestion, and therefore nutrient enemata 
or suppositories should always be predigested. It is found that 
for predigestion pancreatin (q. v. ), is usually a more reliable 
preparation than pepsin. Both should be employed with judg- 



580 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

ment, for there is a likelihood that if artificial digestion be used too 
long, the digestive functions may [become incapable of action] 
from want of use. 

The following directions for peptonizing meat may be followed. 
Take one pound of lean meat, reduce to a fine pulp, add six times 
its weight of water containing 0.2 per cent, of hydrochloric acid 
and 120 grains of pepsin. Digest at 120 F. in a porcelain diges- 
ter for five or six hours with frequent stirring. Then neutralize 
with sodium carbonate, boil and filter. Evaporate the filtrate on 
a water bath till it is of the consistency of a soft extract. 

Peptonized meat suppositories are often very valuable. To 
make one suppository 30 grains of the above extract is mixed with 
40 grains of oil of theobroma, and moulded in a conical mould. 
[PANCREATINUM. 

PANCREATIN. Synonym. — Zymine, B. P. A mixture of the enzy- 
mes naturally existing in the pancreas of warm-blooded animals, usually ob- 
tained from the fresh pancreas of the hog (Sus scrofa Linne ; class Mammalia-; 
order Pachydermata). Habitat. — Domesticated. 

Source. — Macerate the cut-up pancreas in water, acidulated with Hydro- 
chloric Acid for forty-eight hours, add a saturated solution of Sodium Chloride, 
allow to stand until the Pancreatin rises to the surface ; skim this, drain in a 
muslin filter, wash with a less concentrated solution of salt until nearly dry ; 
then rub up with Sugar of Milk, dry thoroughly without heat, and dilute with 
Sugar of Milk until 10 grains will just emulsify 2 drachms of Cod Liver Oil. 

Characters. — A yellowish, yellowish- white, or grayish, amorphous 
powder, odorless, or having a faint, peculiar, not unpleasant odor, and a some- 
what meat-like taste. Solubility. — Slowly and almost completely soluble in 
water, insoluble in Alcohol. 

Dose, 5 to 15 gr. 

Action and Uses. 

Pancreatin digests albuminoids, converts starch into sugar ; 
emulsifies fats and curdles milk, if an alkali be not present, 
on boiling. It is used as an artificial agent to assist the digestion 
of invalids and of old persons, or those prostrated by fever or ex- 
haustion. Also by means of this, food may be partially or wholly 
digested previous to administration. It should be used in com- 
bination with an alkali, as sodium bicarbonate in the proportion 
of 1 to 4. Nutritive enemata should be thoroughly pancreatized.] 



LARD, SPERMACETI. 58 I 

ADEPS. 

LARD. — The prepared [internal fat of the abdomen of Sus Scrofa Linne 
(class Mammalia; order Pachydermata), purified by washing with water, 
melting, and straining. Habitat. — Domesticated. 

Characters. — A soft, white, unctuous solid, having a faint, odor free 
from rancidity, and a bland taste. Solubility. — Insoluble in water; very 
slightly soluble in Alcohol ; readily soluble in Ether, Chloroform, Carbon Di- 
sulphide or Benzin. Sp. gr., about 0.932 at 59 F.] 

Preparations. 

1. Adeps Benzo[inatus. — See Benzoin, p. 550. 

2. Ceratum. — Cerate. White wax, 300; lard, 700. 

3. Ceratum Resinae. — See Resin, p. 442. 

4. Unguentum. — Lard, 800; yellow wax, 200.] 

[OLEUM ADIPIS.— Lard Oil. A fixed oil expressed from Lard at 
a low temperature. 

Characters. — A colorless, or pale yellow oily liquid, having a peculiar 
odor, and a bland taste. Sp. gr., 0.910 to 0.920. 

Composition. — (1) Olein. (2) Palmitin. (3) Stearin.] 

Action and Therapeutics. 

Lard is an emollient, and is used as a basis for ointments. 

The benzo[in]ated lard has the advantage of not quickly becoming 

rancid. 

CETACEUM. 

SPERMACETI. — [A peculiar, concrete, fatty substance, obtained from 
Physeter macrocephalus Linne (class Mammalia ; order Celacea). Habitat. — 
Pacific and Indian Oceans. 

Characters. — White, somewhat translucent, slightly unctuous masses of 
a scaly-crystalline fracture and a pearly lustre ; odorless, and having a bland, 
mild taste. It becomes yellowish and rancid by exposure to air. Sp. gr., 
about 0.945. Solubility. — Insoluble in water, and nearly so in cold Alcohol; 
also in Ether, Chloroform, Carbon Disulphide, fixed and volatile oils ; only 
slightly soluble in cold Benzin. 

Composition. — It is mainly Cetylic Alcohol, C 16 H 33 OH, in combination 
with Palmitic Acid, HC 16 H 31 2 , forming a fat, Cetin, C 16 H 33 C 16 H 31 2 .] 

Preparations. 
[1. Ceratum Cetacei. — Spermaceti Cerate. Spermaceti, 100; 
White Wax, 350; Olive Oil, 550. 

2. Unguentum Aquae Rosas. — See Rose, p. 555.] 



582 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

Action and Therapeutics. 

Spermaceti is used as an emollient and as a basis for ointments 

and [cerates.] 

VITELLUS. 

YOLK OF EGG.— The yolk of the egg of G alius Bankiva, var. 
domestica [Temminck (class Aves ; order Gallince). Habitat. — Java and Co- 
chin China ; domesticated. 

Composition. — (1) Vitellin, 16 percent. (2) Fat, 30 per cent. (3) In- 
organic Salts, Cholesterin, Lecithin, coloring matter. 

Preparation. 
Glyceritum Vitelli. — See Glycerin, p. 513. 

Action and Therapeutics. 
Yolk of egg is emollient and] nutritive. 
OLEUM MORRHU^. 

COD LIVER OIL. Synonym.— [Oleum Jecoris Aselli, A fixed oil 
obtained from fresh livers of Gadus Morrhua Linne, and of other species of 
Gadus (class Pisces; order Teleostia ; family Gadida). Habitat. — North 
Atlantic Ocean. 

Source. — The fresh livers are slowly heated, and the oil is decanted 
from the water, and sometimes deprived of the solid fat by partial freezing. 

Characters. — A pale yellow, thin, oily liquid, having a peculiar, slightly 
fishy, but not rancid odor, and a bland, slightly fishy taste. Sp. gr., 0.920 to 
0.925. Solubility. — Scarcely soluble in Alcohol, but readily soluble in Ether, 
Chloroform, or Carbon Disulphide ; also in 2.5 parts of Acetic Ether. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Olein, 70 per cent., which 
is a fluid fixed oil, and is Glycerin Oleate, the most abundant constituent of Cod 
Liver Oil. (2) Palmitin, with some Stearin, 25 per cent. (3) Free fatty 
acids, as Oleic, Palmitic, Stearic. (4) Gaduin, C 35 rL t6 9 , a peculiar principle, 
very insoluble in ordinary menstrua. (5) Morrhuol, a crystalline substance 
containing Phosphorus, Iodine and Rromine. (6) Traces of Iodine and 
Bromine. (7) According to Gautier, it contains two fixed bases, Aselline, 
C 25 H 32 N 4 , relatively feeble physiologically, and Morrhuine, C 19 H 27 N 3 , which is 
a powerful diuretic and diaphoretic. (8) Biliary principles.] 

Dose, 1 to 4 fl. dr. 

Action. 

External. — Cod liver oil is a bland unirritating oil. If it is 
desired to administer it in cases in which it is rejected by the 



COD LIVER OIL. 583 

stomach, it may be rubbed into the skin. The oil is certainly 
absorbed when applied in this way. 

Internal. — Gastro-intesti?ial tract. — Cod liver oil, even more 
than other oils, is liable to cause indigestion, nausea, and sick- 
ness. Large doses may set up diarrhoea. It is more readily 
absorbed than other oils. Loops of intestine have been isolated 
in the lower animals, and into each loop different oils have been 
injected. The intestines are returned to the abdominal cavity, 
and after some time the animal is killed and the loops are 
opened. It is always found that the cod liver oil has been more 
rapidly absorbed than any other oil. The facility with which 
cod liver oil is absorbed is also shown by the fact that it often 
cannot be recognized in the faeces, although equal quantities of 
other oils taken by the mouth are passed unaltered. Some 
authorities believe that the superior absorbability of cod liver oil 
depends on the biliary principles contained in it, but this is 
doubtful ; others think that it is because the presence of free 
acids facilitates saponification and emulsion. 

Tissues. — Not only is cod liver oil more readily absorbed than 
other oils, but it is a better food. All oils lead to an increased 
formation of fat, but cod liver oil is the most powerful in this 
respect. It reduces the color of a solution of [potassium] per- 
manganate more readily than other oils — that is to say, it is more 
readily oxidized. Thus, as it is more easily absorbed and more 
easily oxidized, we have a partial explanation of its peculiar value 
in increasing the weight of the body; but the general belief is 
that these two facts do not wholly explain the action of cod liver 
oil, and that it has some peculiar specific action not yet under- 
stood, especially upon those suffering from phthisis, for whom it 
is a very valuable drug. 

Therapeutics. 

External. — The smell of cod liver oil is so disagreeable that 
it should not be rubbed in externally unless this treatment be 
absolutely necessary. 

Internal. — Cod liver oil is of the greatest service in all 
varieties of tuberculous disease, the contra-indications being high 



584 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

temperature, severe haemoptysis and dyspepsia, vomiting, or diar- 
rhoea, whether primary or induced by the oil. Patients com- 
monly improve in every way under its influence. With the same 
exceptions it may be administered with great advantage in rickets, 
and in any chronic disease associated with loss of flesh, such as 
suppuration, convalescence from acute disease, tertiary syphilis 
and starvation. It often is of benefit in the chronic bronchitis 
and the chronic eczema of childhood. It is frequently given 
with success in neuralgia, general feebleness, despondency and 
other nervous conditions. Formerly it was often prescribed for 
chronic rheumatism. Many persons cannot, or imagine they 
cannot, take it on account of its nasty taste. There are in the 
market several preparations of cod liver oil in which, by careful 
preparation, the disagreeable taste is almost abolished. Ten 
minims of pure ether, with a drop or two of oil of peppermint or 
cloves, will, when mixed with a dose of cod liver oil, often render 
it more palatable. Sometimes it is taken in [soft] capsules, or 
made into a jelly with isinglass, or a little salt is put into the 
mouth after the oil is taken, or the mouth is rinsed out with brandy 
beforehand. Sometimes it is taken in coffee, but perhaps the best 
way is to form an emulsion of it. A very nutritious one is made by 
rubbing together equal parts of extract of malt and cod liver oil. 
The British Pharmaceutical Conference advises the following 
emulsion: — Cod liver oil, 8 fl.oz.; the yolk of two eggs; tragacanth 
in powder, 16 gr. ; elixir of [saccharin (saccharin,] 24 gr. ; Sod. 
Bicarb. ,12 gr. ; alcohol, 1 fl 3 ; Aq. Dest. , 7 fl 5 ), 1 fl Z ', tincture of 
benzoin, 1 fl 3 ; spirit of chloroform, 4 fl 3 ; oil of bitter almond, 
8 TTL; distilled water to 16 fl g. Dose, 2 to 8 flg. It is frequently 
desirable to give cod liver oil with iron. In that case the fol- 
lowing preparation, in which the oil is emulsified with an alkali, 
will be found useful : — Cod liver oil, 4 flg; iron and ammonium 
[citrate], 5 gr. ; potassium carbonate, 3 gr. ; [saccharin,] ^ gr. ; 
oil of caraway, 1 HI; water to fl^. 

MEL. 
HONEY. — A. saccharine secretion deposited in the honey-comb by Apis 
mellifica Linne [(class Insecta ; order Hymenoptera). 



WAX. 585 

Characters. — A syrupy liquid of a light yellowish to pale yellowish- 
brown color, translucent when fresh, but gradually becoming opaque and 
crystalline, having a characteristic, aromatic odor, and a sweet, faintly acrid 
taste. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Grape Sugar or Dextrose. 
(2) Fruit Sugar or Glucose. (3) Wax. (4) Volatile Oil. (5) Formic Acid, 
a minute quantity.] 

Preparation. 

Mel Despumatum. — Clarified honey. Melt honey in a water- 
bath, and strain while hot, adding 5 per cent, of Glycerin. 
[Dose, freely.] 

Clarified honey is contained in Confectio Rosae and Mel Rosae. 

Action and Therapeutics. 

Honey is demulcent, relieving dryness of the mouth and 
facilitating swallowing. Oxymel, [clarified honey 8, acetic acid 1, 
water 1,] is a useful preparation. It is a common ingredient of 
cough mixtures. Honey is a mild laxative, and may be given 
to children for this purpose. 

CERA. 

[CERA FLAVA. — Yellow Wax. A peculiar, concrete substance, pre- 
pared by Apis mellifica Linne (class Ins e eta ; order Hymenoptera). 

Characters. — A yellowish to brownish -yellow solid, having an agree- 
able, honey-like odor, and faint, balsamic taste. Sp. gr., 0.955 to 0.967. Solu- 
bility. — Insoluble in water, sparingly soluble in cold Alcohol. It is completely 
soluble in Ether, Chloroform, and in fixed and volatile oils. 

Composition. — The principal constituents are — (1) Hydrocarbons (prob- 
ably C 27 H 56 and C 34 H 64 ) about 12 per cent. (2) Cerin or Cerotic Acid, 
C 27 H 54 2 . (3) Myricin or Myrical Palmitate, C 30 H 61 ,C 16 H 31 O 2 , the principal 
constituent. (4) An Alcohol, C 25 H 52 0, in small quantities. (5) Ceryl Alco- 
hoi, C 27 H 56 0. 

Yellow Wax is used in Ceratum Cantharidis, Ceratum Resinae, Unguen- 
tum, and Unguentum Picis Liquidae.] 

[CERA ALBA. — White Wax. Made by bleaching yellow wax by ex- 
posure to moisture, air and light. 

Characters — A yellowish-white solid, somewhat translucent in thin 
layers, having a slightly rancid odor, and an insipid taste. Sp. gr., 0.965 to 

G-975- ' 

Composition. — As of yellow wax. 

5o 



586 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

White wax is used in Ceratum, Ceratum Camphorae, Ceratum Cetacei 
and Unguentum Aquae Rosae.] 

Uses. 
Yellow and white wax are only used as bases for many plas- 
ters, [cerates] and ointments. 

COCCUS. 

COCHINEAL. — The dried female [of Coccus cacti Linne (class Insecta ; 
order Hemipterd). Habitat. — Mexico and Central America; upon Opuntia 
cockinillifera, Miller, and other species. 

Characters. — About 5 mm. long, of a purplish-gray or purplish-black 
color; somewhat oblong and angular in outline; flat or concave beneath; 
convex above; transversely wrinkled; easily pulverizable, yielding a dark red 
powder; odor faint; taste slightly bitterish.] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Car minic Acid, [C 17 H 18 O 10 , 
10 per cent. (2) Coccerin, a wax. (3) Fat, consisting of myristin, liquid fat, 
and fatty acids.] 

Cochineal is contained in Tinctura Cardamomi Composita. 

Uses. 
Cochineal is only used as a coloring agent. 

CANTHARIS. 

CANTHARIDES. [Synonym. — Spanish Flies. Cantharis vesica- 
toria De Geer (class Insecta; order Coleopterd). Habitat. — Southern and 
Central Europe, mainly in Oleaceae and Caprifoliaceae. 

Characters. — About 25 mm. long and 6 mm. broad; flattish-cylindrical, 
with filiform antennae, black in the upper part, and with long wing-cases and 
ample, membranous, transparent, brownish wings; elsewhere of a shining, 
coppery-green color. The. powder is grayish-brown, and contains green, 
shining particles. Odor strong and disagreeable ; taste slight, afterwards 
acrid.] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Cantharidin, [C 10 H 12 O 4 ,] 
the active principle, a crystallizable body forming colorless plates, soluble in 
Alcohol, Ether, Acetic Ether, Glacial Acetic Acid, Chloroform, and oils. It 
is found especially in the generative apparatus, the eggs, and the blood. (2) 
A [fatty, odorous compound. (3) Various extractives and salts.] 

Preparations. 
[1. Ceratum Cantharidis. — Cantharides Cerate. Cantharides, 
320; yellow wax, 180; Resin, 180; lard, 220; Oil of Turpentine, 150. 
2. Collodium Cantharidatum. See Pyroxylin, p. 560. 



CANTHARIDES. 587 

3. Tinctura Cantharidis. — Tincture of Cantharides. Cantha- 
rides, 50; by percolation with Alcohol to 1 000. 

Dose, 1 to 15 m. 

4. Emplastrum Picis Cantharidatum. — See Burgundy Pitch, 
P- 442.] 

Action. 

External. — Cantharides is a powerful irritant ; but it 
is slower in its action than most [irritants]. If any of its prepara- 
tions are applied to the skin, no effect is noticed for two or three 
hours ; then a tingling, burning pain is perceived. Soon the part 
becomes red from vascular dilatation, the drug now producing its 
rubefacient effect. The next stage is the formation of several 
vesicles. These soon run together to form one large bleb full of 
clear serum. Not only is cantharides an irritant and vesicant, 
but it is a powerful counter-irritant, probably dilating by reflex 
action the vessels of the deep-seated organs under the point of 
application. 

Cantharidin can be absorbed by the skin in sufficient quantity 
to produce internal effects. 

Internal. — Cantharides is hardly used internally in medi- 
cine, as it is such a powerful irritant. 

Gastro-intestinal tract — It produces severe gastrointes- 
tinal irritation,, the patient suffering from abdominal pain, 
diarrhoea and vomiting. There may be a burning pain in the 
throat \ the motions and vomited matters may contain blood. 
These symptoms naturally cause much general depression. 

Genito-urinary tract. — The active principle is absorbed into 
the blood, and a few hours after the gastro-intestinal symptoms 
have set in the patient complains of great pain in the loins and 
strangury — that is to say, there is an urgent desire to micturate ; 
the effort is very painful from vesical tenesmus, and the quantity 
of urine passed is very small ; it may contain albumin and 
blood. In severe cases of poisoning there may be greatly in- 
creased sexual desire, numerous seminal emissions, violent pria- 
pism, with swelling and heat of the genital organs. In women 
cantharides may cause abortion or induce menstruation. Post- 



588 ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 

mortem. — Intense gastro-intestinal inflammation is present, 
consequently swelling, ecchymoses, and hyperaemia of the mucous 
membrane of the alimentary canal are observed. The kidneys 
are found to be very congested and. in the early stage of 
acute nephritis, there is also much inflammation of the genito- 
urinary mucous membrane. 

Therapeutics. 

External. — Cantharides is very largely employed to raise a 
blister, and it is of all drugs the most commonly used counter- 
irritant. It is applied to the chest in pleurisy, over the pericar- 
dium in pericarditis, over the inflamed nerves in neuritis, over 
the mastoid process in disease of the ear, over joints with chronic 
effusion into them, over the stomach when there is gastric pain, 
vomiting, etc. A blister applied over the nerve will often relieve 
pain in neuralgia. If a further counter-irritant effect is desired, 
the blister, which is usually pricked, may be irritated by the 
application of any irritating ointment ; Unguentum Sabinae [B. 
P, fresh savine tops, 8; yellow wax, 3; benzoinated lard, 16] 
was formerly much used for this purpose. If the irritation pro- 
duced by the cantharides itself is sufficient, a dressing of some 
simple ointment should be applied when vesication is complete. 
The cantharides preparation should not be left on after the 
development of the bleb, lest the cantharidin should be absorbed. 
Cantharides should not be applied to a part on which the patient 
lies, or a bedsore may form ; nor must it be used in renal disease ; 
and it should be carefully employed in children or debilitated 
persons. It ought not to be applied to paralyzed limbs. 

Internal. — The drug is rarely given internally, but it has 
been used with success in small doses in cases of chronic gleet. 
Sometimes, but not often, it relieves chordee. 

[Toxicology. # 

For the symptoms, see p. 587. There is no chemical nor physiological an- 
tidote to Cantharides. The stomach should be emptied by emetics {see p. 79,) 
or washed out by the stomach -tube. Mucilaginous and demulcent liquids 
should be freely given. Opium is indicated to relieve the pain and gastro- 
enteritis.] 



APPENDIX, No. I. 

NON-PHARMACOPCEIAL REMEDIES. 

[The following remedies are official in the British Pharmacopoeia.] 

ACIDUM MECONICUM. 
MECONIC ACID.— H 3 C 7 HO T . 

Source. — The Calcium Meconate, which is precipitated in the manufacture 
of Morphine Hydrochlorate, is placed in hot water and treated with Hydro- 
chloric Acid. On cooling, Meconic Acid crystallizes out. 

Characters. — Almost colorless, micaceous crystals. Solubility. — i in 150 
of water, 1 in 45 of [Alcohol] ; it is decomposed by boiling water. 

Preparation, \_B. P.~\ 

Liquor Morphinse Bicneconatis. — Morphine is precipitated by 
Ammonia from a solution of the hydrochlorate. It is dissolved in 
water, Alcohol and Meconic Acid. Strength, 1 in 80. 

Dose, 5 to 40 m. 

[Action. 
Meconic Acid appears to be nearly free from active physiolo- 
gical properties ; nearly 20 grains have been administered to 
dogs with negative results.] 

ACONITINA. 

ACONITINE.— C 33 H 42 N0 12 . ? 

Source. — It is precipitated from an aqueous solution of an alcoholic 
extract of the powdered root by Ammonia, and then purified. 

Characters. — A white, amorphous or crystalline alkaloid. Causes 
tingling and numbness of the skin. An intense poison. Solubility. — 1 in 
2600 of cold water, I in 40 of Alcohol or Ether, 1 in I of Chloroform. Must 
be given internally with great caution. It is very difficult to obtain pure, and 
commercial preparations vary very much. Potash splits it up into Benzoic 
Acid and Aconine. Non-official species of Aconitum yield different kinds of 
Aconitine. 

[Dose, 2^n S T - w i tn caution.] 

Preparation, \_B. P.~\ 
Unguentum Aconitinae. — Aconitine dissolved in Alcohol, 1 ; 
Benzo[in]ated Lard, 55. 

589 



590 APPENDIX. 

[Action and Uses. 
Aconitine applied to the skin or mucous membrane causes 
first tingling, then numbness and local anaesthesia, which lasts 
some time. As the ointment it has been applied externally, and 
with great benefit, in neuralgia, especially facial neuralgia. A 
small piece is rubbed in until numbness is produced. Frequently 
it fails, and we cannot tell beforehand if it will succeed.] 

ADEPS LANiE. 

WOOL FAT. — The purified cholesterin fat obtained as a bye-product 
in the dressing of sheep's wool. 

Source. — Sheep's wool, washed with cold water, then subjected to heat 
and pressure, yields impure wool fat. This is purified by melting, washing with 
alkali, and then washed with an acid while it is heated. 

Characters. — Semi-transparent, pale yellow, tenacious body. Ignited, 
it burns with a sooty flame. Melts between ioo° and 112° F. ; odor like 
sheep's wool. Solubility. — Freely in Chloroform and in Ether, partially in 
Alcohol. Insoluble in water, but on vigorous stirring takes up 1% times its 
weight. 

\_It is used to prepare Adeps Lanse Hydrosus.] 

ALBUMEN. 

OVI ALBUMEN.— [Egg Albumen, B. P.] The liquid white of egg 

of Gallus bankiva var, domestica (nat. ord. Carinatce),~\ 

Action and Therapeutics. 
It is an antidote of poisoning by corrosives and irritants, espe- 
cially [mercuric corrosive chloride],, copper sulphate, lead salts 
and silver nitrate. It is nutritive. 

ALCOHOL AMYLICUM. 
AMYLIC ALCOHOL.— C 5 H u OH. Synonym.— Fusel Oil. 

Source. — Separated during the rectification of crude spirit and redistilled 
at from 250 to 260 F. 

Characters. — A colorless, very inflammable, oily liquid, with a peculiar 
odor. Sp. gr., 0.818. 

It is used to make Amyl Nitrite and Sodium Valerianate. 

[Uses. 
Fusel oil is a poison, and is not used in medicine. The man- 
ufacturers of cinchona alkaloids employ it as a solvent ; formerly 
it was required for the preparation of valerianic acid.] 



APPENDIX. 591 

ANETHUM. 

DILL. — The dried fruit of Peucedanum graveolens (nat. ord. Umbelli- 
fertz). Habitat. — Middle and Southern Europe. 

Characters. — Broadly oval, [12 mm.] long, brown, flat, with a pale, broad, 
membranous border. Mericarps distinct, odor and taste agreeable and aro- 
matic. Resembling Dill, Conium, Anise, Fennel, Caraway; but Dill is winged. 

Composition. — The chief constituent is the official volatile oil (a. v). 

Preparation, \_B. P.~\ 
Aqua Anethi. — Dill Fruit, 1 ; water, 10. 
Dose, 1 to 2 fl. oz. 

OLEUM ANETHI.— The distilled oil in Britain from the Dill fruit. 
Characters. — Pale yellow, odor pungent, taste hot and sweetish. 
Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Anethene, a terpene. 
(2) The oxidized oil identical with Car[v]ol. [See p. 469.) 
Dose, 1 to 4 m. 

Action and Therapeutics. 

The same as those of anise and caraway, Dill water is a 

common carminative for children, and it covers very well the 

taste of sodium salts. 

ANTIPYRIN. 

PHENAZONUM, [B. P.] Synonym.— Phenyl— Dimethyl— Pyra- 
zolone. C 6 H 5 (CH 3 ) 2 C 3 HN 2 0. 

Source. — Aceto-acetic Ether is acted upon by Phenyl-hydrazine, when 
Phenyl-monomethyl-pyrazolone, Ethyl Alcohol, and water are formed. CH S 
COCH 2 COOC 2 H 5 +H 2 NNHC 6 H 5 =C 6 H 5 (CH 3 )C 3 H 2 N 2 + C 2 H 5 OH + H 2 0. 
The Monomethyl compound is treated with Methyl Iodide and Methyl Alcohol. 
C 6 H 5 (CH 3 )C 3 H 2 N 2 + CH 5 I=C 6 H 5 (CH 3 ) 2 C 3 HN 2 0+HI. 

Characters. — Colorless, odorless, scaly crystals [of a somewhat bitter 
taste], freely soluble in water, Alcohol and Chloroform. 

Incompatibles. — Iron Sulphate, Iodide, Chloride ; Copper Sulphate ; 
Iodine ; Arsenic Iodide ; Carbolic, Hydrocyanic, and Nitric Acids ; Potassium 
Permanganate ; Salicylates ; Mercur[ic Corrosive Chloride] ; Spirit of Nitrous 
Ether ; all preparations of Tannin give a white precipitate ; Chloral decom- 
poses it. 

Dose, 3 to 20 gr. 

Action and Therapeutics. 
[Antipyrin is a cardiac depressant, and it also contracts the 
blood-vessels, being therefore a local haemostatic. It is a mild 



59 2 APPENDIX. 

diuretic, and it is quickly excreted in the urine as antipyrin. It 
may produce an erythematous rash. It rapidly reduces an ele- 
vated temperature by decreasing heat production, by direct action 
on the centre which presides over heat-production, and to a much 
less extent increases heat dissipation. In large doses it is said to 
produce convulsions, later coma, and the paralysis of motor 
nerves and muscles. 

Antipyrin is given internally as a powerful antipyretic. 
It is also used as a haemostatic in haemorrhoids and epistaxis. It 
has been used with some success in diabetes. It is largely em- 
ployed as an anti-neuralgic and anti-rheumatic. Exter- 
nally it is supposed to be an antiseptic, but local irritation has 
followed its hypodermatic use. 

Salipyrin is prepared by the action of antipyrin upon salicylic 
acid in substance. It is a white, coarsely-crystalline powder with 
a rather sweetish taste, readily soluble in alcohol, but slightly in 
water. The dose is twice that of antipyrin. In chronic articular 
rheumatism and rheumatic sciatica it has been successful, but it 
does not prevent relapses. 

Iodopyrin, or iodantipyrin, is supposed to have a hydrogen 
atom in the phenyl group of antipyrin replaced by iodine. It 
occurs in colorless, prismatic needles, which are tasteless. It is, 
with difficulty, soluble in cold water or alcohol, but readily when 
hot. It causes a fall of temperature and perspiration, but without 
collapse or shivering. It is doubtful if it has any advantage over 
antipyrin. The dose is from 2 to 15 grains. 

Hypnal is a compound of chloral with antipyrin, made by 
mixing their solutions, and obtained in crystalline form. It was 
proposed by Bardet as a hypnotic, more certain than chloral, 
nearly free from taste, entirely free from irritating effect upon the 
mucous membranes, and having distinct analgesic effects. The 
dose is about 15 grains.] 

Toxicology. 

Antipyrin occasionally produces, in man, collapse, cyanosis, very slow 
respiration, a feeble and irregular pulse, vomiting and profound prostration. It 
is not known whether these symptoms have been due to impurities in the drug. 



APPENDIX. 593 

Many deaths have been caused by this drug ; it has been stated that during one 
epidemic of influenza in Vienna seventeen persons were killed by it. 

Treatment. — Stimulation by Alcohol and Ether subcutaneously and by 
the mouth ; Strychnine subcutaneously to stimulate the heart ; warmth to the 
feet and body. 

ARMORICIA. 

HORSE RADISH.— The fresh root of the Cochlearia Armoricia (nat. 
ord. Cruciferce). Habitat. — Cultivated in [the United States] and Britain, 
It is most active in the autumn and early spring, before the leaves have ap- 
peared. 

Characters. — A long, cylindrical, fleshy root, enlarged at the upper end, 
where it is marked by the scars of fallen leaves, [12 to 25 mm.] in diameter, and 
usually [30 cm.] or more long. Pale yellowish or brownish-white externally ; 
whitish and fleshy within. Taste very pungent. Inodorous unless bruised or 
scraped. Resembling horseradish root. — Aconite root, which is shorter, coni- 
cal, not cylindrical, darker, and causes tingling and numbness when chewed. 

Composition. — The chief constituent is a substance, which by the action 
of a ferment, yields a volatile oil identical with that of Mustard. 

Preparation, \_B. P.~\ 

Spiritus Armoriciae Compositus. — Scraped Horseradish Root, 
20 oz. ; bitter Orange Peel, 20 oz.; Nutmeg, x / z oz.; Alcohol, I gal.; 
water, 3 pints. 

Dose, 1 to 2 fl. dr. 

Action and Uses. 

Horseradish is a condiment, having the same action as 
mustard. It has been used as a counter-irritant. The spirit is a 
pleasant flavoring and carminative agent. 

BEL^l FRUCTUS. 

BAEL FRUIT.— The dried half-ripe fruit of JEgle marmelos (nat. 
ord. Rutaeece.) Habitat. — Malabar and Coromandel. 

Characters. — Roundish fruit the size of a large orange, usually imported 
in fragments of the hard, woody rind, with adherent dried pulp and seeds. 

Compos ition. — Not known. 

Preparation, \_B. P.~\ 

Extractum Belae Liquidum.- 
Dose, 1 to 2 fl. dr. 



594 APPENDIX. 

Action and Therapeutics. 
The imported bael fruit is useless. In India the extract of the 
fresh fruit is used for the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery; 
but its mode of action is unknown. It contains no tannin. 

BUTYL-CHLORAL HYDRAS. 

BUTYL-CHLORAL HYDRATE.— C 4 H 5 CI 3 0,H 2 0. Synonym.— 
Croton Chloral Hydrate. (This is a misnomer.) 

Source. — Dry Chlorine Gas is passed through Aldehyde. Butyl-chloral 
(C 4 H 5 C1 3 0) is formed. It is separated by fractional distillation, and water 
added. 

Characters. — Pearly-white, crystalline scales, with a nauseous taste and 
a pungent odor like Chloral. Solubility. — I to 50 of water, freely in Alcohol 
and Glycerin. 

Incompatibles. — All alkalies. 

Dose, 5 to [20 gr.] 

Action and Therapeutics. 
The action of this drug is exactly similar to that of chloral, 
but butyl-chloral hydrate is less certain in its effects. It is said 
to be less depressant to the heart, but this is doubtful. It has a 
specific action in relieving neuralgia of the fifth nerve. 

CANELLA. 

CANELLffi CORTEX.— The bark of Canella alba (nat. ord. Canel- 
lacece) deprived of its corky layer and dried. Habitat. — South Florida and 
the Bahamas. 

Characters. — Quills [8 to 20 cm.] long, or nattish pieces. Externally, 
orange-brown or buff, with sometimes remains of corky layer as silver-gray 
patches ; whitish internally. Agreeable odor, like Cloves and Cinnamon ; 
bitter taste. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) A volatile oil (1 per cent.), 
consisting of several oils, one of which is identical with Eugenic Acid, from 
Oil of Cloves. (2) A bitter principle, Canellin. No Tannin is present. 

Dose, 15 to 60 gr. 

Action and Uses. 

Canella bark is an aromatic bitter stomachic, not often 

prescribed. 

CUSPARIA. 
CUSPARIA CORTEX.— Cusparia Bark. Synonym. — Angustura 
Bark. The bark of Galipea cusparia (nat. ord. Rutacece). [Habitat. — ] 
Tropical South America. 



APPENDIX. 595 

Characters. — Flat or curved pieces or quills, [16 cm.] or less long, 
[4 mm.] thick, obliquely cut on inner edge. Externally a yellowish-gray, 
mottled, corky layer, which can be scraped off, and shows a dark brown 
resinous layer; inner surface light brown, flaky. Fracture short, resinous, and 
showing under a lens, white points or lines. Taste bitter, aromatic. Odor 
musty, disagreeable. Resembling Cusparia. — Canella Alba, but this is darker, 
and has pared edges. 

Impurity. — Bark of Strychnos nux-vomica (false Angustura bark) : its 
inner surface gives bright blood-red color with Nitric Acid, showing Brucine ; 
Cusparia does not. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Cusparine, or Angustu- 
rine, a crystalline bitter alkaloid. (2) An alkaloid, Galipeine. (3) An 
aromatic oil. It is stated that no Tannin is present, but Iron Salts are incom- 
patible with Cusparia. 

Incompatibles. — Mineral acids and metallic salts. 

Dose, 10 to 40 gr. 

• Preparation, [B. P.] 

Infusum Cuspariae. — 1 in 20 of water at 120 F. (to avoid ex- 
traction of nauseous principles). 
Dose, 1 to 2 fl. oz. 

Action and Therapeutics. 

Cusparia bark is an aromatic bitter, having a similar action 
to calumba. It is used to make Angustura Bitters. In South 
America it is given as an antiperiodic. 

ELEMI. 

MANILA ELEMI. — A concrete resinous exudation probably from 
Canarium commune (nat. ord. Burseracece) , Habitat. — Manila. 

Characters.- — A soft unctuous mass, becoming harder and yellowish by 
age. Strong fennel-like odor. Resembling Elemi. — Asafoetida, Galbanum, 
Ammoniacum, but Elemi is known by its smell. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Resinous bodies, 80 per 
cent. (2) A terpene. 

Preparation, [B. P.] 

Unguenti Elemi. — Elemi, I ; simple ointment, 4. 
Action and Therapeutics. 

Elemi acts like oleoresins generally, but is only used as a 
stimulant and disinfectant ointment. 



596 APPENDIX. 

EUCALYPTUS GUM. 

EUCALYPTI GUMMI. Synonym.— Red Gum. A ruby-colored 
exudation from the bark of Eucalyptus rostrata (nat. ord. Myrtacece) and from 
other species. [Habitat. — ] Australia. 

Characters. — An inspissated secretion forming semi-translucent and 
garnet-colored granules. Tough and difficult to powder. Adheres to the 
teeth when chewed. Soluble in water. Resembling Eucalyptus Gum. — 
Kino, which is darker and feebly soluble in water. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Kino-tannic Acid. (2) 
Catechin. (3) Pyrocatechin. 

Dose, 2 to 10 gv. in a powder, or in an aqueous solution or made into a 
pill with mucilage of Acacia. 

Action and Therapeutics. 

Red gum is, in virtue of its tannic acid, powerfully astrin- 
gent and is used in diarrhoea and dysentery. Lozenges, 1 grain 
in each, with fruit paste, or a decoction of 1 in 40, as a gargle, 
are employed for relaxed throats. This decoction may also be 
given in 2 to 4 [fi.] 3 doses for diarrhoea. A fluid extract (red gum, 
7; water, 21 ; alcohol, 1 ; dose, j4 to 1 fl. dr.) is a useful prepara- 
tion. Injected into the nose it stops epistaxis. Mixed with 1 to 
10 of water it may be injected into the rectum or vagina, or may 
be used as a mouth wash. Suppositories, each containing 5 gr. 
of red gum, are prepared, and may be employed for piles. 

FARINA TRITICI. 

WHEATEN FLOUR.— The grain of wheat, Triticum sativum (nat. 
ord., Graminacece), ground and sifted. \_Habitat. — Cultivated.] 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Starch. (2) Gluten. (3) 
Sugar. (4) Mucilage. (5) Salt. (6) Water. 

[Uses.] 

Flour is used in the form of Mica Panis (bread crumb) as a 
basis for pills, and in the making of cataplasmata. 

FERRI ARSENAS. 

IRON ARSENATE. — It consists of both ferrous and ferric arsenates, 
with some oxides. 

Source. — Mix hot solutions of Sodium Arsenate and Iron Sulphate, add 



APPENDIX. 597 

Sodium Bicarbonate to neutralize the free Sulphuric Acid that is formed. 
Iron Arsenate is precipitated. 

Characters. — A greenish, amorphous powder, insoluble in water. 

Impurities. — Sulphates. 

Dose, th to ]/ 2 gr., as a pill. 

[Uses. 

The iron arsenate is used when a combination of these metals 

is required.] 

GALBANUM. 

GALBANUM. — A green resin obtained from Ferula galbaniflua, 
Ferula rubricaulis (nat. ord. UmbellifercB), and probably other species. Habi- 
tat. — India and the Levant. 

Characters. — Tears or masses of agglutinated tears. Tears roundish, 
about the size of a pea, yellowish-brown or yellowish-green. Translucent, 
rough, and dirty. Hard and brittle in the cold, softening with heat and 
becoming sticky. Masses contain pieces of root, stem, etc. They are hard, 
compact, yellowish- brown. Odor peculiar, aromatic. Taste bitter, unpleas- 
ant. Resembling Galbanum. — Ammoniacum, Asafcetida, Benzoin; known 
by their different odors. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Volatile oil, C 10 H 16 , 6 
to 9 per cent., isomeric with Turpentine. (2) A resin, 60 to 66 per cent. (3) 
Gum, 15 to 25 per cent. (4) Umbelliferon, [C 9 H 6 3 .] 

Preparation. 
Emplastrum Galbani. — Galbanum, 1 ; Ammoniacum, 1 ; Yellow 
Wax, 1 ; Lead Plaster, 8. 

Action and Therapeutics. 

Galbanum acts like other substances containing volatile oils; 
it is usually combined with ammoniacum or asafetida. It is used 
externally as a plaster for its irritant effect, to aid the absorption 
of old inflammatory products, and internally it is given with 
asafetida as a carminative. 

GELATINUM. 

GELATIN. — The air-dried product of the action of boiling water on 
gelatinous tissues, as skin, tendons, ligaments, and bone. 

Characters. — In translucent sheets or shreds. The solution in hot water 
is colorless and inodorous ; it solidifies to a jelly on cooling. It is insoluble 
in Alcohol and Ether. Its aqueous solution is precipitated by Tannin. 



598 appendix. 

[Uses.] 

It is useful as a basis for suppositories, pessaries, bougies, cap- 
sules, lozenges, and as a coating for pills. 

GUTTA PERCHA. 
GUTTA PERCHA. — The concrete juice of Dichopsis gutta and several 
other trees of the same natural odor (nat. ord. Sapotacece). [Habitat. — South 
America.] 

Characters. — Light brown, tough, flexible, plastic at a temperature 
above 120 F. Solubility. — Not at all in water, Alcohol, alkalies, or acids. 
Almost entirely in Chloroform. Entirely in Oil of Turpentine, Carbon Disul- 
phide, or Benzol. 

Preparation. 

Liquor Gutta Percha. — Gutta Percha, I ; Chloroform, 8 ; Lead 
Carbonate, I ; decant. 

Uses. 
Gutta percha is used in making splints. 

HEMIDESMUS. 

HEMIDESMUS.— The dried root of Hemidesmus Indicus (nat. ord. 
Asclepiadacece). Synonym. — Indian Sarsaparilla. [Habitat. — India.] 

Characters. — Cylindrical, twisted, longitudinally, furrowed; six inches 
long ; their yellowish-brown corky layer easily separable from the rest of the 
bark, which is annularly cracked. Odor fragrant, taste sweetish [slightly 
acid]. Resembling Hemidesmus. — Sarsaparilla, Ipecacuanha, Senega, but 
they have no cracks. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are (i) Coumarin, (2) Tannin, (3) 
Hemidesmic Acid. 

Preparation. [B. P.~\ 

Syrupus Hemidesmi. — 1 in 10. 
Dose, 1 to 2 fl. dr. 

Action and Therapeutics. 
It is used chiefly in India, and for the same purposes as sarsa- 
parilla. It is doubtful whether it has any particular action. 

HIRUDO. 
THE LEECH. — Two species are official, (1) Sanguisuga medicinalis, 
the speckled leech (belly greenish-yellow, spotted with black); (2) Sanguisuga 
officinalis, the green leech (belly olive-green, not spotted), (nat. ord., Anne- 
lida. ) 



APPENDIX. 599 

Characters of both species. — Body soft, smooth, [5] or more [cm.] long, 
tapering to each end, plano-convex, wrinkled transversely, back olive-green, 
with six rusty-red longitudinal stripes. Each leech has a muscular disc at each 
end. In the center of the anterior one is a triradiate mouth, provided with 
three saws and two rows of teeth. 

Action and Therapeutics. 

Leeches are used to remove blood. They are usually applied 
over deep-seated organs when they are congested, and great 
relief is often afforded. For example, three or four leeches near 
the liver, when that organ is enlarged in heart disease, or one or 
two behind the ear, when the tympanic cavity is inflamed, fre- 
quently do good. The leech being applied to the skin, the 
animal fixes itself by its sucker-like disc, makes a triradiate cut 
with its mouth, and draws into its body, which consequently be- 
comes swollen, about a drachm and a half of blood. If this is 
not sufficient, a hot fomentation put on, after the animal is 
removed, may increase the quantity to half a fluid ounce. The 
skin should be well washed with a little milk before the leech is 
applied. Occasionally the haemorrhage requires pressure, or some 
local styptic, as ferric chloride [or better styptic collodion], to 
stop it. If leeches have to be applied to the mouth, rectum, or 
uterus, leech glasses, which only allow the head to protrude, 
should be used. 

HOMATROPIN^E HYDROBROMAS. 

HOMATROPINE HYDROBROMATE.— C ]6 H 21 N0 3 HBr. The 

hydrobromate is an alkaloid prepared from Tropine. Homatropine is really 
Oxytoluyl-tropine. 

Source. — (1) Tropine, C 8 H 15 NO, a derivative of Atropine, is heated with 
Oxytoluic Acid in the presence of Hydrochloric Acid; (2) Ammonia is added, 
and pure Homatropine shaken out with Chloroform; (3) the chloroformic 
solution is evaporated; (4) the Homatropine is neutralized with Hydrobromic 
Acid. 

Characters. — Small prismatic white crystals. Solubility. — 1 in 10 of 
water, 1 in 133 of Alcohol. 

Dose, lis to sV gr. subcutaneously. 



600 APPENDIX. 

Action and Therapeutics. 

. y Homatropine has an action exactly similar, so far as we know, 
to that of atropine. It is only used to dilate the pupil in oph- 
thalmic practice, the advantage over atropine being, that the 
dilatation produced by homatropine passes off in a quarter of the 
time. It may be applied as a solution (4 gr, of the hydrobromate 
to [1 fl.] %, of distilled water). To dilate the pupil -g^oinr °f a 
grain is sufficient. Sometimes a solution in castor oil is used, for 
it is less likely to be washed out by the tears, but it may be 
rather irritating. 

HORDEUM DECORTICATUM. 

PEARL BARLEY. — The dried seed of Hordeum distichon (nat. ord. 
Graminacece) divested of its integuments. \_Habitat. — Britain.] 

Characters. — White, rounded, with a slight longitudinal furrow. 
Composition. — As of wheat. 

Preparation, \_B. P.~\ 

Decoctum Hordei. Synonym. — Barley water. I to 15. 
[Dose, freely.] 

Action and Therapeutics. 

Barley water forms a pleasant demulcent drink, especially if 
the throat be dry and sore. 

LAUROCERASUS. 

CHERRY LAUREL. — The fresh leaves of Prunus laurocerasus (nat. 
ord. Rosacea:). \_Habitat. — Europe.] 

Characters. — Thick coriaceous, on short strong petioles. Oblong or 
ovate, [12 to 16 cm.] long, tapering towards each end, recurved at the apex, 
distantly but sharply serrated, dark-green, smooth and shining above, pale 
beneath. Prominent midrib with, on either side of it at the base, one or two 
glandular depressions. Inodorous, except on bruising, when they emit a 
ratafia-like odor. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Laurocerasin, a gluco- 
side; it is a compound of Amygdalin and Amygdalic Acid. (2) Emulsin. 
By the same changes as in the case with Bitter Almond [see p. 516), in the 
presence of moisture, an oil, [Hydrocyanic] Acid and Glucose are formed. 



APPENDIX. 601 

Preparation, [B. P.] 

Aqua Laurocerasi. — Made by distillation and standardized so 
that its strength is o. I per cent, of absolute Hydrocyanic Acid. 
Incompatibles — Metallic salts. 
Dose, ^ to 2 fl. dr. 

Action and Therapeutics. 

Aqua laurocerasi is not often employed ; owing to the vola- 
tilization of the [hydrocyanic] acid, its strength is not constant. 
Its action is the same as that of dilute hydrocyanic acid {see p. 
285). It is used as a flavoring agent. 

MORI SUCCUS. 

MULBERRY JUICE. — The juice of the ripe fruit of Morus nigra 
(nat. ord. Urticacece). [Habitat. — Britain.] 

Characters. — Well known. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (i) Grape Sugar. (2) Malic 
Acid. 

Preparation, [P. P.] 

Syrupus Mori. — Mulberry juice, I pint; Sugar, 2% lbs. ; Alcohol, 
2 l /i fl. oz. 

Dose, i to 2 fl. dr. 

[Uses. 

The juice of] Mulberries is used as a coloring and flavoring 

agent. 

NECTANDRA. 

BEBEERU BARK.— The bark of Nectandra Rodicei, the greenheart 
tree (nat. ord. Laurinece). \_Habitat. — British Guiana.] 

Characters. — Flat, heavy pieces, [30 to 60 cm.] long, [5 to 15 cm.] 
broad, [6 to 19 mm.] thick. Externally grayish-brown, internally dark cinna- 
mon brown, with longitudinal striae. Hard, brittle, coarse-grained fracture. 
No odor. Taste bitter, astringent. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Beberine, official [B. P.] 
as the sulphate. (2) Tannin. 

BEBERINE SULPH\S.— Beberine Sulphate, C 36 H 42 N 2 6 
Source. — (1) Exhaust Bebeeru bark with dilute Sulphuric Acid, remove 
the excess of this by the addition of Lime, precipitation of Lime Sulphate, and 
filtration. (2) From the fluid, precipitate beberine with Ammonia. (3) Dry 
51 



602 APPENDIX. 

it, dissolve in Alcohol. (4) Distill off the Alcohol, dissolve the residue in 
Sulphuric Acid, purify and dry at 140 F. 

Characters. — Dark brown, translucent scales, yellow when powdered. 
Taste strong, bitter Solubility. — I in 80 of water, sparingly in Alcohol. As 
prepared it is a mixture of several alkaloids, of Beberine and Nectandrine 
Sulphates. 

Incompatibles. — Alkalies and their carbonates, Potassium Bromide, Lime 
Water, Tartaric Acid, tartrates, astringents, infusions and tinctures. 

Dose, 1 to 10 gr. 

Action. 

Bebeeru bark and beberine are bitter stomachics, having pre- 
cisely the same action upon the stomach as calumba. They were 
introduced because they are slightly antipyretic and antiperiodic. 
Beberine is a feeble antiseptic. 

Therapeutics. 

These substances are seldom used, as there are many other 
more convenient bitter stomachics, and their antipyretic and 
antiperiodic action is feeble. 

OLEUM ANTHEMIDIS. 

OIL OF CHAMOMILE.— The volatile oil distilled from Chamomile 
flowers. 

Characters. — Pale blue or greenish-blue, becoming yellowish-brown. 
Odor and taste like Chamomile. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) A terpene, C 10 H 16 , and 
(2) an oxidized portion which readily yields angelic and tiglinic acids. (3) A 
bitter principle. 

Dose, 1 to 4 m. 

Action and Therapeutics. 

Internally, like other volatile oils, oil of chamomile is a 
stomachic and carminative. 

OLEUM LAVANDULA.— A volatile oil distilled from the flowers 
of Lavandula vera (nat. ord. Labiatce). \_Habitat. — Britain.] 

Characters. — A colorless or greenish or pale yellow [liquid having 



APPENDIX. 603 

the aromatic odor of Lavender, a pungent, bitter taste, and a neutral reaction. 
Sp. gr., about 0.890, soluble in Alcohol.] 

Impurity. — Oil of Spike. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are a terpene and a stereopten. 

Dose, 1 to 5 m. 

Action and Therapeutics. 
Oil of lavender has the same action as other aromatic volatile 
oils. It is used externally as a pleasant stimulating compo- 
nent of liniments. 

OLEUM MYRISTICiE EXPRESSUM. 

[EXPRESSED OIL OF NUTMEGS.]— A concrete oil obtained 
by expression and heat from Nutmegs. 

Characters. — Orange -brown or orange-yellow, mottled, firm consistence ; 
odor like Nutmeg. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Glyceryl Oleate, C 3 H 5 
(C 18 H 33 2 ) 3 (2) Glyceryl Butyrate, C 3 H 5 (C n H 7 2 ) 3 - (3) Glyceryl Myris- 
tate, C 3 H 5 (C u H 27 2 ) 3 . (4) A little volatile oil. (5) A little Resin. 

Action and Therapeutics. 
The expressed oil of nutmeg used in plasters as a sweet- 
smelling stimulant. A liniment of Myristica, containing one 
part of the oil to three of olive oil, is an elegant antiparasitic for 
mild cases of ringworm. 

OLEUM PINI SYLVESTRIS.— Fir Wood Oil. The oil distilled 
from the fresh leaves of Pinus Sylvestris (nat. ord. Conifer<z). \_Habitat. — 
Russia.] 

Characters. — Almost colorless. Odor aromatic. Taste pungent. Sp. 
gr. , 0.870. Solubility. — 1 in 7 of Alcohol. 

Composition. — The same as that of Oil of Turpentine. 

Preparation, \_B. P.~\ 
Vapor Olei Pini Sylvestris. — Fir-wood Oil, 40 m; rub with 20 
gr. of Magnesium Carbonate ; add water, I [fl.] ^ . Put I [n\] £ of this 
in half a pint of cold and half a pint of boiling water, in a vessel so 
arranged that air, drawn through the liquid, can be inhaled. 

Action and Therapeutics. 
The action of fir-wood oil is the same as that of oil of turpen- 
tine (see p. 434). But it is pleasanter to inhale, and forms a 



604 APPENDIX. 

useful stimulating disinfectant expectorant inhalation in chronic 
bronchitis or laryngitis. 

OLEUM RUT^. 

OIL OF RUE.— The volatile oil distilled from the fresh herb of Ruta 
graveoleus (nat. ord. Rutacece). \_Habitat. — Britain.] 

Characters. — A light yellow oil, becoming brown on keeping. Taste 
sharp, bitter. Odor aromatic, disagreeable. Soluble [iD equal weight of Alco- 
hol. Sp. gr., about 0.880.] 

Composition. — It is a mixture of several volatile oils. 

Dose, 1 to 4 m. 

Action and Therapeutics. 

External.- Oil of rue is irritant and vesicant. 

Internal. — In large doses it is a powerful gastro-intestinal 
irritant. It is hardly ever used for these purposes. It is elimi- 
nated in, and may be recognized by its odor in the urine, breath 
and perspiration. It is irritant to the kidneys, ovaries and uterus, 
and excites the menstrual flow; consequently it is given in 
amenorrhcea. From its stimulating action on the uterus rue has 
been used as an abortifacient, and fatal cases of poisoning from 
gastro-intestinal irritation have been recorded. It is very rarely 
given as a medicine. In all points its action resembles that of 

savin[e]. 

OPIUM. 

TINCTURA CHLOROFORMI ET MORPHINE, [B. P.]— A 
close imitation of the proprietary medicine called Chlorodyne. (A) Dissolve 
Morphine Hydrochlorate 8 gr., and Oil of Peppermint 4TTI.5 m Alcohol, 1 [fl.] ^ ; 
add Chloroform, 1 [fi.] g , and Ether, 2[fl.]3. (B) Mix Fluid Extract of 
Liquorice, I [fl.] ^ ; Treacle, 1 [fl.] ^ ; and Syrup, 3 [fl.] !| . Mix A and B 
and add dilute Hydrocyanic Acid, ]/ z [fl.] J , and increase the bulk to 8 [fl.] ^ 
by adding syrup. 

Strength. — 10 m. contains chloroform \% m., Ether y^ m., morphine 

Dose, 5 to 10 m. 

[Uses. 

Tincture of Chloroform and Morphine is much used as an 
anodyne. This is a dangerous remedy and should be used with 
great care.] 



APPENDIX. 605 

PAPAVER. 

[RHCEADOS PETALA.— Red Poppy petals. The fresh petals of 
Papaver Rhceas (nat. ord. Papaveracece). \_Habitat. — Britain.] 

Characters. — Scarlet, with a smell of opium and a bitter taste. 

Composition. — Red coloring matter 40 per cent. This consists of Papa- 
veric and Rhceadic Acids. It is soluble in water. The petals contain no 
Morphine, nor have they any narcotic properties. 

Preparation, [B. P.~\ 
Syrupus Rhceados. — 1 in 3^. 
Dose, 1 fl. dr. 

Uses. 

[Poppy petals are only used as a coloring agent.] 
PHENACETINUM. 

Synonym. — Para-acetphenetidin. 

Source. — Glacial Acetic Acid is made to act upon paraphenetidin, a pro- 
duct of Phenol. C 6 H 6 OC 2 H 5 NH 2 +HC 2 H 3 2 =C 6 H 4 OC 2 H 5 NHC 2 H 3 0+H 2 0. 

Characters. — Colorless scaly crystals, very sparingly (1 in 1700) soluble 
in water. Soluble in 30 parts of Alcohol, soluble in Glycerin. 

Dose, 5 to 10 gr. (as an antipyretic), in cachets, capsules or suspended. 

Action and Therapeutics. 
[ Phenacetin has no action externally or in the gastro- 
intestinal tract, and with ordinary doses the blood is unaffected. 
It depresses the heart, but does not in ordinary doses affect the 
respiration. It is a mild diuretic, but large doses cause a passage 
of altered blood. It is a powerful antipyretic by decreasing 
heat production and slightly increasing heat dissipation. It is a 
powerful analgesic. It is a valuable remedy in reducing fever, 
and "because it depresses the heart but little, it is safer than either 
antipyrin or acetanilid. It is, however, very insoluble, and 
slower and less powerful than these remedies, but the effects last 
longer. As this drug possesses a marked analgesic action, it is to 
be preferred as a remedy for the relief of pains, as neuralgia, 
sciatica, locomotor ataxia, migraine and various headaches. For 
this purpose, the dose is 3 grains every hour for three or four 
hours ; this generally gives relief. 



606 APPENDIX. 



Toxicology. 

This drug sometimes produces severe vomiting, sweating, feeble and rapid 
pulse, and collapse. Treatment. — Alcoholic stimulation. Strychnine hypoder- 
matically. External warmth.] 

PINUS LARIX. 

LARCH. — The bark of the Pinus Larix, the common Larch (nat. ord. 
Coniferce). deprived of its outer rough portion and dried. Collected in the 
Spring. [Habitat. — Central Europe.] 

Characters. — Flattish pieces or quills, external surface dark, red, 
uneven; inner, yellowish or pinkish, nearly smooth. Odor like Turpentine. 
Taste astringent. Resembling Larch bark. — Red Cinchona bark, which is 
very bitter. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (i) Turpentine. (2) Tannic 
Acid. (3) Larixin, or Larixinic Acid, a crystalline bitter principle. 

Preparation, \_B. P.~\ 
Tinctura Laricis. — Larch bark, 1 ; Alcohol, 8. 
Dose, 20 to 30 m. 

Action and Therapeutics. 

Larch bark is not often prescribed. Its action depends upon 
the oil of turpentine contained in the turpentine in it. 

ROSA. 

HIPS. — Rosae Caninae Fructus. — The ripe fruit of the Dog Rose, Rosa 
Canina and other species (nat. ord. Rosacea). [Habitat. — Britain.] 

Characters.— About [25 mm.] long, ovoid, scarlet, shining, smooth; 
no odor. Taste sweet, sub acid. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Malic Acid. (2) Citric 
Acid. (3) Tannic Acid. (4) Sugar. (5) A volatile oil. 

Preparation, [P. P.] 
Confectio Rosas Caninae. — Hips, 1 ; sugar, 3. 

[Uses.] 
This confection is used as a basis for pills. 
SACCHARIN. 

GLUSIDUM, [B. P.,] C 6 H 4 ,CO,S0 2 NH. Synonyms.— Benzoyl-sal- 

phonic-imide, Glucusimide, Gluside. 



APPENDIX. 607 

Source. — It is derived from Toluene, C 6 H 5 , CH 3 a derivative of coal 
tar, by a complicated process. 

Characters. — A light, white, crystalline powder. In solution it has an 
intensely sweet taste ; I of Saccharin is equal to 300 of cane sugar. Solubility. 
— I in 400 of cold water; I in 28 of boiling water; I in 500 of Chloroform; 
I in 30 of Alcohol ; 1 in 48 of Glycerin. It unites with alkaline hydrates and 
carbonates, evolving from the latter Carbonic Acid Gas, and yields soluble Sac- 
charin, which has lost none of its sweetness, and is very soluble in water 

Impurities. — Commercial Saccharin is not a pure or uniform product; 
it often contains less than 50 per cent, of actual Saccharin. 

Dose, l /2. to 2 gr. 

Action and Therapeutics. 
Saccharin is an antiseptic, but is not used as such. It is 
employed as a sweetening agent, when from any cause, as 
diabetes, sugar can not be taken. It may be given in tablets, or 
with sodium carbonate to form soluble solutions. An elixir is 
prepared, containing also sodium bicarbonate, alcohol and water. 
The strength is 3 gr. to the fl. 3 , and the dose is 5 to 20 Tm\ 

SAPO ANIMALIS. 
CURD SOAP. — Soap made from Soda and a purified animal fat con- 
sisting principally of Stearin. It is chiefly Sodium Stearate. 

[Uses.] 
Curd soap is used as a basis for plasters, liniments, pills and 

suppositories. 

SODII ETHYLAS. 

[SODIUM ETHYLATE.- NaC 2 H 5 0. 

Source. — By solution of Metallic Sodium in Ethylic Alcohol and crys- 
tallization. 2Na-{-2C 2 H 5 OH=2NaC 2 H 5 0+H 2 . 

Characters. — A deliquescent, Caustic Salt in white or whitish crystals.] 

Preparation. 
Liquor Sodii Ethylatis, [B.P.] — Sodium, 1; Ethylic Alcohol, 
20. [This preparation has a sp. gr., of 0.567.] Strength. — 19 per cent, 
of Sodium Ethylate. It should be freshly made when wanted. 

[Uses. 
Sodium ethylate is] used locally as a mild caustic to remove 
naevi and other growths. 



608 APPENDIX. 

SODII VALERIANAS. 

SODIUM VALERIANATE.— NaC 5 H 9 2 . 

Source. — Make Valerianic Acid by distilling a mixture of Amylic 
Alcoholic, Sulphuric Acid, and Potassium Bichromate. Saturate the distillate, 
which contains Valerianic Acid, with Caustic Soda, and evaporate. 

Characters. — White masses of a powerful valerian-like odor. Solu- 
bility. — Easily in both Alcohol and Ether. 

Dose, i to 5 gr. 

[Action and Uses. 

Sodium valerianate has the same action and is used for the 
same purposes as the other valerianates.] 

SULPHONAL. 

SULPHONAL.- C.H 16 S 2 4 . Synonyms. — Diethyl-sulpfaon-dimetlqrl- 

methane. (CH 3 ) 2 C(S0 2 C 2 H-)2. 

Source. — Mercaptan (Ethyl Hydrosulphide) is combined with Acetone 
to form Mercaptol, which by oxidation with Potassium Permanganate yields 
Sulphonal. 

Characters. — Colorless, tabular crystals, inodorous, almost tasteless. 
Solubility. — I in 450 of cold, I in 15 of boiling water, I in 90 of Alcohol or 
Ether, 1 in 3 of Chloroform. 

Dose, 15 to 40 gr. 

Action and Therapeutics. 

Sulphonal is an hypnotic. It does not depress the heart, 
but kills by paralysis of respiration. The drug is given for the 
same class of cases as chloral, but as it is so insoluble it is ab- 
sorbed with difficulty and very slowly; hence it takes some hours 
to act, and its action may be prolonged into the next day. It 
produces its effect most rapidly if the fluid, in which it is sus- 
pended, is hot. It has been known to produce [persistent] erup- 
tions upon the skin. [Several fatal cases of poisoning by this 
drug have been reported, and as well, severe general functional 
disturbances have followed its use.] 

THERIACA. 

TREACLE. — The uncrystallized residue in the refining of sugar. 
Treacle is contained in Tinctura Chloroformi et Morphinse. 



APPENDIX. 609 

Action and Uses. 

Treacle is used as a flavoring agent. It is slightly demulcent 

and laxative. 

THUS AMERICANUM. 

FRANKINCENSE.— The concrete Turpentine scraped off the trunks 
of Pimts tceda, Frankincense pine, and Pinus austra/is, the swamp pine (nat. 
ord. Coniferce), [Habitat.] — Southern United States. 

Characters. — When fresh it is a soft, yellow, opaque, tough solid, 
becoming darker, dry and brittle by keeping. Odor and taste as of other 
Turpentines. 

Composition. — It is like other Turpentines an Oleoresin. 

[Uses.] 
Frankincense is used for the same purposes as resin {see p. 

442). 

UV^. 

RAISINS. — The ripe fruit of Vitis vinifera (nat. ord. Ampelidce), the 
grape-vine, dried in the sun, or partly by artificial heat. [Habitat.] — Spain. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) Grape Sugar. (2) 
Acid Potassium Tartrate. (3) Other acids and salts. 

Action and Therapeutics. 

Raisins are used as sweetening agents, and are demulcent. 

YEAST. 

CEREVISI/E FERMENTUM.— Beer Yeast. The ferment obtained 
in brewing beer, and produced by Saccharomyces (Torula) cerevisice (nat. 
ord. Fungi). 

Characters — Viscid, semi-fluid, frothy, exhibiting under the microscope 
numerous roundish or oval cells, or filaments composed of cells. Odor 
peculiar. Taste bitter. 

Dose, y 2 to 2 fl. oz. 

Action and Therapeutics. 

A yeast poultice (yeast 3, water at ioo° F. 3, flour 7) has 
been applied to sloughing sores and ulcers, but it is rarely used. 

ZINCI SULPHOCARBOLAS. 

ZINC SULPHOCARBOLATE.-rZn( C 6 H 5 SOJ 2 +H 2 0. 
Source. — Sulphocarbolic Acid is formed by adding Sulphuric Acid to 
52 



6lO APPENDIX. 

Carbolic Acid. This is treated with Zinc Oxide; the Zinc Sulphocarbolate 
crystallizes out on evaporation. 

Characters. — Colorless crystals, freely soluble in water. 

Uses. 

Zinc sulphocarbolate is, like carbolic acid, an antiseptic and 
and may be used externally for that purpose. [It is used as an 
astringent to indolent or foul ulcers, and in subacute inflamma- 
tions of mucous membrane, in solutions which are somewhat 
stronger than of the sulphate.] It is not given internally. 









APPENDIX No. I[L] 

NON-PHARMACOPCEAL REMEDIES. 

The following drugs, although not in [either the U. S. P. or B. P.,] are more 
or less often used. 

[ADONIDIN. 

Source. — From the Adonis Vernalis (nat. ord. Ranunculacece) is obtained a 
glucoside known as Adonidin. Habitat. — Northern Europe and Asia. This 
glucoside occurs as a somewhat hygroscopic, canary-colored powder, of intensely 
bitter taste, soluble in water and Alcohol; insoluble in Ether, Chloroform and 
Benzin. 

Dose, / 6 to^ gr. 

Action and Uses. 

Adonidin markedly increases the arterial pressure while de- 
creasing the pulse rate. The primary rise is chiefly of cardiac 
origin, the slowing of the rate is due to stimulation of the in- 
hibitory nerves. The late fall of blood-pressure is due, at least 
in great part, to vaso-motor paralysis. In its action it is more 
prompt than digitalis, and according to Durand does not have a 
cumulative action. If it is diuretic, it is so chiefly through its 
effects upon the circulation. It is used for the same class of cases 

as digitalis. 

^THYL BROMIDUM. 

ETHYL BROMIDE.— C 2 H 5 Br. Synonyms.— Ether Bromatus, Mon- 
obromo ethane, Hydrobromic Ether. 

Source. — From Alcohol and Sulphuric Acid with Potassium Bromide, dis- 
tillation, and washing, (i) C 2 H 5 OH -f H 2 S0 4 = C 2 H 5 HS0 4 + H 2 0. (2) 
C 2 H 5 HS0 4 -f KBr = C 2 H.Br -f KHSO,. 

Characters. — A colorless, highly refractive, very volatile liquid, with a 
strong etherial odor and a sweetish warm taste. Sp. gr., 1.445 to I -45°- Not 
miscible with water. It must be used when quite fresh. 

Action and Uses. 
Ethyl bromide is a rapid and transient anaesthetic, abolishing 
pain without, however, complete loss of consciousness. It is 

611 



6l2 APPENDIX. 

useful in minor and dental surgery. It is contra-indicated in 
alcoholism, and bronchial, renal and cardiac disease. 

ETHYLENE BICHLORIDUM. 

ETHYLENE BICHLORIDE. — C 2 H + C1 2 . Synonyms.— Ethene 
Chloride, Dutch Liquid. 

Characters. — A colorless, volatile liquid possessing an odor and taste 
resembling that of Chloroform. It has a sp. gr. , of about 1.27. Sohibility. — 
Sparingly in water ; freely in Alcohol and Ether. 

Uses. 
It is used as an anaesthetic, and is much safer than chloro- 
form, but is more costly. It is pleasanter, more rapid in action, 
causes no excitement during nor after its administration; there 
is more rapid recovery from it. It causes so much irritation of 
the throat, that it is used with difficulty. As a local anaesthetic, 
it has been applied to the seat of pain in neuralgia.] 

AMMONIO-MERCURIC CHLORIDE. 

SAL ALEMBROTH.— A double Mercury and Ammonium Chloride. 

Source. — Mix 271 parts of [Mercuric Corrosive Chloride] with 107 of 
Ammonium Chloride, both in solution, and evaporate. 

Characters. — Flattened rhombic prisms, freely soluble in water or gly- 
cerin. It contains one molecule of [Mercuric Corrosive Chloride] combined 
with two of Ammonium Chloride. Three grains of Sal Alembroth contain 
two grains of Mercuric Corrosive Chloride. It is a very powerful antiseptic, 
but does not combine with albumin so readily as [Mercuric Corrosive Chloride], 
and is therefore less irritating. 

Action and Therapeutics. 

Sal alembroth gauze (containing 1 per cent.) and sal alem- 
broth wool (2 per cent.), both tinted with aniline blue, which is 
bleached by the discharge, so that it is easy to see if it has soaked 
through, are much used to dress wounds antiseptically. 

Sal alembroth injections (^ gr. in 10 TTL of water) are a con- 
venient non-irritating form in which to inject mercury subcuta- 
neously in syphilis. The precautions mentioned on p. 197, should 
be observed. 

AMYL COLLOID. — The composition of this is Amyl Hydride, I fl. g ; 
Aconitine, I gr.; Veratrine, 6 gr. ; Collodion to 2 fl. ^ . It is a fluid preparation. 



APPENDIX. 613 

Action and Therapeutics. 

Amyl colloid is painted on the skin over painful areas in neu- 
ralgia, sciatica, etc. It is an elegant method of obtaining the 
local anaesthetic action of aconitine and veratrine, which is aided 
by the evaporation of amyl hydride. 

[AMYLENUM HYDRATUM. 

AMYLENE HYDRATE.— (CH 3 ) 2 C 2 H 5 COH. Synonyms.— Di- 
methyl-ethylcarbinol, Tertiary Amyl Alcohol. 

Source. — By the action of Sulphuric Acid on Amylene, separation of the 
Amylene-sulphuric Acid, dilution, filtration, neutralization with Milk of Lime 
or solution of Soda and fractional distillation. 

Characters. — A limpid, colorless, oily liquid, of a peculiar penetrating 
odor. Sp. gr., 0.815. Solubility. — In 8 parts of water ; readily in Alcohol, 
Ether or Chloroform. 

Dose, )/ z to 1 fl. dr. 

Action and Uses. 

Amylene hydrate is a hypnotic, about midway in power be- 
tween chloral and paraldehyde, having a pleasanter taste than the 
latter. The sleep is generally natural, and the awakening prompt 
and complete. It is a safe hypnotic, having no action upon the 
heart or respiration, and it may have also anodyne properties. 
It can be administered in wine, raspberry syrup, or simply in 
water. It has been given hypodermatically, with one-half its 
volume of alcohol. After continued use it is apt to disagree with 
the stomach]. 

ARISTOLUM. 

ARISTOL. — [C 20 H 24 O 2 I 2 . Synonyms. — Dithymol diiodide, Annidalin. 

Source. — It is prepared by the decomposition of a solution of Iodine in 
Potassium Iodide, by Thymol dissolved in a solution of Sodium Hydroxide. 
The precipitate is washed with water and dried. It contains 45.8 per cent, of 
Iodine. 

Characters. — An amorphous brownish-red, almost tasteless powder, 
of a slight, peculiar, iodine-like odor. Solubility. — Insoluble in water and 
Glycerin, soluble in Ether and Chloroform, with difficulty soluble in Alcohol ; 
it is readily taken up by fixed oils and Petrolatum. 



6 14 APPENDIX. 

Action and Uses. 

It is used for the same purposes as is iodoform {see p. 281) in 
various skin diseases, as lupus, psoriasis and for tertiary syphilis, 
both in ointments, lanolin, flexible collodion and as a powder. 
It has the very great advantage of being nearly free from odor. 

ASAPROLUM. 

ASAPROL.- (C 10 H 6 OHSO 3 ) 2 Ca+3H 2 O. Synonym.— Calcium Beta- 
naphtol Alpha- monosulphonate. 

Source. - By action of free Sulphuric Acid on Beta-naphtol, neutralizing 
this product with Calcium Carbonate, concentration and crystallization. 

Characters. — A colorless, or yellowish-white, crystalline powder, of a 
slightly bitter taste. Solubility. — In 1.5 parts of water ; in 3 parts of Alcohol. 

Dose, 15 to 60 gr. 

Uses. 

Asaprol is an useful soluble and safe antiseptic. It is valuable 
in epidemic influenza, relieving the pain and reducing the fever, 
not giving rise to prostration nor interference with the heart or 
respiration. In atonic dyspepsia, when fermentation alternates 
with acid eructations, it has achieved brilliant results. In chronic 
rheumatism it will relieve the pain of an acute exacerbation. In 
acute rheumatism, although it does not present the disadvan- 
tages of the salicylates, it is not so useful, nor so uniformly 

successful. 

BISMUTHI SALICYLAS. 

BISMUTH SALICYLATE.— Bi(C 7 H 5 3 ) 3 Bi 2 3 . 

Source. — It is prepared by diluting a Glycerin solution of crystallized 
Bismuthous Nitrate with water, and decomposing this with a concentrated 
aqueous solution of Sodium Salicylate; the precipitate is well washed with hot 
water and carefully dried. It contains about 76 per cent, of Bismuth Oxide 
and 24 per cent, of Salicylic Acid. 

Characters. — It is a soft, white powder. Solubility. — Insoluble in 
water, Glycerin and Ether, but soluble in acids. 

Dose, 5 to 20 gr. 

Action and Uses. 

Bismuth salicylate is an unirritating, intestinal antiseptic, and 
as such is of great value in the treatment of diarrhoeas, typhoid 
fever, gastric and intestinal catarrhs. 



APPENDIX. 615 

BISMUTHI SUBGALLAS. 

BISMUTH SUBGALLATE. C 6 H 2 (OH) 3 C0 2 Bi(OH). 2 . Synonym. 
— Dermatol. 

Source. — By dissolving Bismuth Subnitrate, 15; in glacial Acetic Acid, 
30; adding water, 200 to 250; and filtering To the filtrate, add with con- 
stant stirring, Gallic Acid, 5 ; wash the precipitate by decantation, and dry. 

Characters. — It is an impalpable saffron-yellow powder, odorless, and 
permanent. Solubility. — Insoluble in all ordinary solvents. 

Dose, 5 to 10 gr. 

Action and Uses. 

Bismuth subgallate is non-toxic and non-irritant. Used like 
iodoform it has a drying and anti-bacterial effect upon wounds. 
Internally it has been used in fermentative dyspepsias, and the 
diarrhoeas of tuberculosis and typhoid fever. Excellent as a 
dusting powder, or as an ointment (1 in 10 of vaseline, etc.), it 
maybe used in gauze, 10 per cent. It is non-stimulant, and 
therefore valueless in chronic or torpid ulcerations. 

BROMOFORMUM. 

BROMOFORM.— CHBr 3 . Synonym. — Tribromomethane. 

Source. — By the action of Sodium Hypobromite, which is obtained when 
Bromine is added to a solution of Sodium Hydroxide, on Acetone. 

Characters. — A clear, colorless liquid, of a peculiar odor, and a sweetish 
taste. Sp. gr., 2.9. Solubility.— Slightly in water, but readily in Alcohol. 

Dose, 1 to 5 m. 

Action and Uses. 

Bromoform is an anaesthetic. It has been used as a remedy 
of great value for whooping-cough, for which its pleasant taste 
and convenience of administration gave it advantage. It can be 
given in mixture of alcohol, glycerin, and compound tincture 
of cardamom Cases of poisoning have been reported, so that 
it must be used with care. 

CACTUS. 

CEREUS GRANDIFLORUS. Synonym. — Night-blooming Cereus. 
The stems of Cactus Grandijlorus Linne (nat. ord. Cactacece). Habitat. — Tropi- 
cal America ; cultivated. 

Characters. — Its branches, or stems, are scandent, diffuse, radicant, 
slightly 5 to 7 angular; areolae, 5 to 12 spinulose; spinules short, 4 to 6 mm. 



6l6 APPENDIX. 

long, nearly equalling the whorl ; flowers large, nocturnal, white, pleasantly and 
strongly fragrant; the calyx is about 15 to 20 cm. in diameter; the inside being of 
a splendid yellow, the outside is of a dark brown ; the petals of a pure white ; 
and there is a vast number of recurved stamens in the centre. 

Constituents. — It is believed to contain an alkaloid, cactine, but this has 
not been satisfactorily demonstrated. 

Preparation. 

Fluid Extract of the fresh flowering branches. 
Dose, 10 to 30 m. 

Action and Uses. 

The action of cactus is upon the intra-cardiac ganglia and 
accelerator nerves, through the cardiac plexus of the sympathetic, 
and there is not any interference with the inhibitory nerves, 
nor, indeed, does its administration produce any very marked 
vaso-motor changes. It shortens the ventricular diastole, and 
increases the blood-pressure. It is useful in cardiac weakness, 
that is, relative incompetency ) in convalescence from typhoid 
fever ; in simple eccentric cardiac dilatation ; in functional car- 
diac diseases, from tea, coffee, tobacco and alcohol, dyspepsia, 
neurasthenia of the climacteric, sexual exhaustion ; in the "slow 
heart," from over-stimulation of the pneumogastric or degenera- 
tion of the muscular wall of the ventricles. It is of very great 
use in aortic regurgitation, but is absolutely contra-indicated in 
mitral stenosis, thus being of value in those cases where the use 
of digitalis is inadmissible. It has a sphere of action entirely of 
its own, not, however, replacing the digitalis or the aconite 
group, but it is useful in many cases where these drugs are not 
only dangerous, but absolutely contra-indicated. 

CHLORALOSE. 

CHLORALOSE.— C 8 H 4 C1 3 6 . Synonym.— Anhydroglucochloral. 

Source. — By heating together Anhydrous Chloral and Glucose, the 
soluble Chloralose is formed which crystallizes. GjHCl 3 0-(-C 6 H 12 6 =C 8 H n 
C1 3 6 +H 2 0. 

Characters. — In small crystals, having a bitter and disagreeable, but 
not acrid taste. Solubility. — Freely in hot, slightly in cold water. 

Dose, 2 to 8 gr. 



APPENDIX. 617 



Action and Therapeutics. 



It will produce profound sleep in which sensibility is not lost, 
although the reflex activities are greater than usual. The awaken- 
ing is without unpleasant effects. Ten grains have produced 
profound unconsciousness. On account of its bitter taste it is best 
given in capsules]. 

CHLORALUM FORMAMIDATUM. 

CHLORAL FORMAMIDE.— [CCl 3 CH.OH. CONH 2 . Synonym. 
— Chloralamide. 

Source. — By the combination of Chloral and Formamide. CCl 3 CHO-(- 
CHONH 2 =CCl 3 CH.OH. CONH,.] 

Characters. — Shining colorless crystals, [without odor and of a slightly 
bitter taste. Solubility. — Slowly, in about 20 parts of water, in 1.5 parts of 
Alcohol, and in weak acid solutions. It should not be heated over 140 F , or 
mixed with alkalies, for, in either case, it decomposes into Chloral. 

Dose, 10 to 30 gr.] 

Action and Therapeutics. 

Chloralamide is an excellent hypnotic, producing calm, re- 
freshing sleep without any bad after-effects. Frequent use does 
not necessitate an increased dose, nor, as far as we know, is any 
chloralamide habit contracted. It does not relieve pain, but is 
equally serviceable for all varieties of insomnia, unless due to pain. 
If possible it should not be given as a powder, for it is then so 
very slowly absorbed, that probably some of it is decomposed in 
the intestines or stomach ; occasionally, when powdered chlorala- 
mide has been administered in the evening, the patient has not 
slept during the night, but has slept all the next day, because the 
drug has been so slowly absorbed. The best way to give it is to 
dissolve it in a little alcohol. The patient may be told to dis- 
solve 20 or more grains in sufficient brandy, to add water not 
above 130 F., and drink it before going to bed. Some speci- 
mens are very insoluble, and must be suspended. It is said that 
10 minims of aromatic sulphuric acid added to 1 fl. 5 of water will 
dissolve 30 gr. of chloralamide, but this is not always true. It 
acts if given as an enema. 



6l8 APPENDIX. 

[COCILLANA. 

COCILLANA. — The bark of Sycocarpus Rusbyi (nat. ord. Meliacecs). 

Habitat. — Bolivia. 

Characters — The bark is thick, and ash-colored, becoming rough only 
with considerable age; inner surface is grayish -yellow; the odor is slight, but 
peculiar ; taste unpleasant (not bitter) , slightly nauseous. 

Composition. — Its chief constituents are — (i) An alkaloid, Rusbyine 
(Eccles). (2) Two Resins. (3) Tannin. (4) Calcium Oxalate. 

Preparations, 

1. Fluid Extract. Dose, 5 to 25 m. 

2. Syrup. Dose, 1 to 2 fl. dr. 

3. Tincture. Dose, x / 2 to 2 fl. dr. 

Action and Uses. 

Cocillafla acts upon muciparous glands, increasing their ac- 
tivity; on the bronchial mucous membrane, causing expectora- 
tion; on the intestinal mucous membrane, producing a laxative 
effect; it also slightly increases the appetite; it slightly strengthens 
the heart beat, and the pulse, but does not stimulate the respira- 
tory centre. The syrup does not act as a laxative, while the 
resins are distinctly purgative. It is of very great value as an 
expectorant, preferable to ipecacuanha, in that it does not so 
readily cause nausea and a metallic taste in the mouth, and assists 
the regular movement of the bowels. If, however, nausea should 
be produced, it is very persistent. Its action is fully established 
three to six hours after administration, and persists at least for six 
hours. It can, in many cases, be substituted for apomorphine, 
ammonium carbonate and for many other drugs, classed with 
more or less reason, as expectorants. 

COTO. 

COTO BARK. — The bark of Drimys Winteri, Foster, var. granatensis, 
Eichler. Habitat. — Venezuela. 

Characters. — In irregular pieces, outer surface irregular as well as the 
inner surface ; color cinnamon-brown ; upon fresh cross-section the bark is seen 
to be filled with yellowish spots, except in the outer portions ; odor aromatic, 
especially if bruised; the powder is very pungent. Resembling Coto Bark — 



APPENDIX. 619 

Paracoto Bark, which has a less powerful odor and taste, and is marked with 
deep, whitish furrows upon its surface. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (x) A crystalline body, Cotoin. 
(2) A volatile oil. (3) A resin. (4) A volatile alkaloid or a peppery taste, 
probably propylanine. (5) Piperonylic Acid, C 8 H 6 4 , which is also contained 
in Paracoto Bark. 

Dose, 1 to 10 gr. 

Preparations. 

1. Abstract. Dose, l / 2 to 5 gr. 

2. Tincture. Dose, 1 to 10 m. 

3. Fluid Extract. Dose, 2 to 6 m. 

COTOIN.-C 22 H 18 6 . 

Characters. — A pale yellow, amorphous powder, or in minute, curved, 
white, fusible prisms. Solubility. — Slightly in water, soluble in Alcohol, Ether, 
and Chloroform. It has a biting taste, and the dust is irritating to the nostrils. 

Dose, 1 to 2 gr. 

PARACOTO I N.—C 19 H 12 6 . It is extracted from Paracoto Bark. 

Characters. — It is in yellowish-white scales, without taste. Solubility. 
— Soluble in Ether, Chloroform, boiling Alcohol, and somewhat in boiling 
water, but from this it separates on cooling. 

Dose, 1 to 3 gr. 

Action and Uses. 

Coto is not astringent, but because it produces absorption, 
coto bark, cotoin and paracotoin (the last being weaker than 
cotoin) have established a reputation as remedies for diarrhoea, 
whether infantile, in phthisis or in typhoid fever. It also checks 
salivation and night sweats. It should not be combined with 
Mistura Cretae.] 

CREOLINUM. 

CREOLIN. 

Source. — [Creolin is derived from coal by dry distillation, and consists of 
a mixture of the sodium salts of some resinous acids with Creolin Oil and 
Pyridines. 

Characters. — A dark brown, syrupy alkaline liquid, containing in solu- 
tion the higher homologues of Phenol. It forms a turbid, milky mixture with 
water, which has the characteristic odor of the preparation. 

Dose, 1 to 5 m. 



620 appendix. 

Action and Uses. 

It is a harmless, cheap, non-irritating but powerful antiseptic, 
frequently used in place of carbolic acid. It is used pure, in 2 
per cent, solution, in an ointment or as a soap, 10 per cent. It 
has been used internally in gastric fermentation, dysentery and 
typhoid fever.] 

[CURARE.] 

CURARE. Synonyms. — Woorara, Wourari, Urari, Wourali. The South 
American arrow poison, prepared from species of Strychnos and other plants. 

Characters. — A blackish-brown dry extract, [brittle or hygroscopic] 
with a bitter taste. Solubility. — Almost completely in diluted Alcohol. 

Composition. — It contains an extremely active poison, curarine or cura- 
rina, [C ]8 H 35 N,] a yellowish-brown powder, intensely bitter. 

Dose, J5 to ]/ z gr. 

Preparation. (Brit. Pharm. Conference.) 

Injectio Curarae Hypodermica. — Curare, 5 gr. ; add distilled 
water to form a thin paste. Put in a funnel plugged with absorbent 
wool, and gradually add more water till a drachm is obtained. 

Dose, 1 to 6 m. (subcutaneously). 

Lamellae or discs, each containing J^ of a grain, are also pre- 
pared. They are dissolved in a few minims of water before injection 
subcutaneously. 

Action and Therapeutics. 

The physiological action of curare, by which it paralyzes the 
end plates of the motor nerves of voluntary muscle, is well known. 
It has been given successfully in tetanus, and is probably one of 
the most useful of all the drugs employed for this very fatal disease. 

[DAMIANA. 

DAMIANA. — The leaves of several plants, Bigeloviaveneta Gray, Tur- 
nera microphylla De Candolle, var., Turnera aphrodisiaca (nat. ord. Turner- 
acece) Habitat — Western North America. 

Composition. — The chief constituents of the last as given by Rantzer are 
— (i) An amber-colored volatile oil, I per cent., having an aromatic odor, and 
a warm camphoraceous taste. (2) Tannin. (3) Two resins. 

Dose, l A to 1 oz. 



appendix. 621 

Uses. 
Damiana has enjoyed considerable reputation as a remedy for 
sexual atony. Some observers believe it to be only tonic. It is 
best administered as a fluid extract, in the dose of one-half 
drachm.] 

DUBOISIN^E SULPHAS.— The Sulphate of the.Alkaloid Duboisine 
obtained from the leaves of Dubosia myoporoides (nat. ord. Solanacece). 
Duboisine is probably identical with Hyoscine [see p. 319). 

Action and Therapeutics. 

The actions of duboisine are like those of atropine, and 

ophthalmic discs containing 50 1 00 of a grain are used to dilate 

the pupil. 

ERYTHROPHLCEUM. 

SASSY BARK. Synonyms.— [Mancona Bark,] Ordeal Bark, Saucy 
Bark. The bark of Erythrophleum guineense (nat. ord. Leguminosce). \_Hab- 
itat.~\ — Africa. 

Characters. — [In flat or curved pieces of irregular size, about 6 mm. 
thick, covered externally with an uneven warty and fissured corky layer, or 
deprived of the same, of a dull brown color. It is hard, brittle, of a fibrous 
texture, internally with pale yellowish brown spots, inodorous, of an astringent, 
somewhat bitter and acrid taste, and when powdered excites sneezing.] 

Composition. — The active principle is Erythrophloeine, a [colorless alka- 
loid, soluble in water and Alcohol.] 

Preparation. (Brit. Pharm. Conference). 
. Tinctura Erythrophlcei. — Sassy Bark, 1 ; Rectified Spirit, 10. 
Dose, 5 to 10 m. 

Action and Therapeutics. 

The action of erythrophlceum is the same as that of digitalis, 
and it may be used for the same class of cases. [In organic car- 
diac disease its effect in slowing the pulse and in increasing the 
urine is by no means constant nor lasting.] It is, however, more 
likely to cause vomiting. 

[EUROPHEN. 

DI-ISOBUTYL-ORTHOCRESOL-IODIDE.— C 22 H 29 2 I. 

Source. — It is prepared in the same way as is Aristol [a. v.), except that 
Isobutyl-orthocresol is used in place of Thymol. 



622 APPENDIX. 

Characters. — It is an amorphous, golden-yellow powder of a slightly 
saffron-like odor, and contains about 28 per cent, of Iodine. Solubility — In Al- 
cohol, Ether, and in about 4 parts of Olive Oil ; insoluble in water or Glycerin. 

Action and Uses. 

It is permanent when dry, but when moistened splits up into 
iodine and a new soluble iodine compound. It is a powerful 
germicide and bactericide and is used for wounds, and for like 
purposes as is iodoform, and in the same quantities. 

EXALGINUM.] 

EXALGIN.— [C 6 H 5 N(CH 3 )CH 3 CO.] Synonym.— Methyl Acetanilide. 
[Source. — By warming together Mono-methylaniline and Acetyl Chloride. 
Characters. — Colorless, acicular needles, with a slightly] saline taste. 
Solubility. — In 60 parts of water, freely in Alcohol. 
Dose, y 2 to 3 gr. 

Action and Uses. 

Exalgin is a powerful analgesic. Often it relieves when 

many other drugs have failed. Medicinal doses hardly ever 

cause depression. Large doses are antipyretic, but are not used 

for this purpose. [It is used for neuralgia, migraine, sciatica, the 

pains of rheumatism, and of late, for chorea. Several severe cases 

of poisoning having been reported, the usual dose should not be 

exceeded.] 

[EXTRACTUM CARNIS. 

EXTRACT OF MEAT.— This preparation has for its object the ob- 
taining the nutritive matters of the flesh of animals in a permanent, concen- 
trated state. 

Source. — Equal parts of meat and cold water. Straining, evaporation 
and straining. 

Characters. — Reddish-brown in color, of a slightly acrid taste, and 
frequently of a disagreeable odor. 

Composition. — 100 parts of meat yield 25 of extract. It is rich in 
nitrogenous principles, but contains neither fat nor gelatin. The method of 
Liebig has been followed, with variations, by a large number of manufacturers. 
The product, however, by no means represents the nutritive qualities of the 
meat itself, because the albumin and fibrin are largely wanting, besides an 
endeavor is put forth to get rid of the gelatin and fat. Of late the attempt has 
been made to retain these important nutritive principles. The beef meal 



APPENDIX. 623 

which was used by Debove in his method of forced feeding (gavage) was 
practically desiccated beef; but it did not have its highest nutritive value 
because it was, to a considerable extent, composed of insoluble matters. The 
classical studies of Wurtz showed that in the juice of the Carica papaya (nat. ord 
Passiflorce) was a principle, called papain, capable of converting albuminoids 
into soluble albumoses and peptones. The fact that a similar vegetable diges- 
tive principle exists in the juice of the pine-apple and allied plants of the nat. 
ord. Bromeliacece, as was first shown by Marcano, has been utilized in the 
manufacture of the Mosquera-Julia beef meal, where the process of digestion 
is carried on before desiccation, or it may be made as a jelly. The advantages of 
a vegetable over an animal pepsin, the greater acceptability to weak stomachs, 
the avoidance of the unpleasant taste and the disagreeable odor, and absence 
of bitterness, are very important. By this method the preparation contains 
only ten per cent, of water, has four times the amount of albuminoid matter 
present in average lean beef, one-half of which is already in an assimilable 
form, and about three times as much fat, in addition. Besides, it is very con- 
venient for administration. 

Action and Uses. 

It is useful as a nutrient and a stimulant in relieving prostra- 
tion and fatigue. The solution seasoned with capsicum is valu- 
able in alcoholic excess and delirium tremens. In the infantile 
bowel disturbances, when milk must be forbidden, it is often 
indicated. In phthisis it will frequently sustain the patient ; in 
the aged it will support life without taxing the digestive powers. 
The amount to be used should be regulated by the age and con- 
dition of the patient. 

EXTRACTA ORGANICA. 

ORGANIC EXTRACTS.— Testicular Juice. Brown-Sequard be- 
lieves that the tissues and other organs supply to the body a natural ferment, 
which is essential to health. When this ferment is absent the vital forces 
degenerate. To supply this ferment, the testicle of a bull is sterilized, macer- 
ated in aseptic Glycerin and filtered by the method of D'Arsonval, being 
sterilized under Carbon Dioxide Gas, of thirty atmospheres pressure. Under 
the hypodermatic injection of this fluid, the functions of organic life are performed 
with new vigor. Favorable reports of its use in many hundred cases of organic 
nervous diseases have been placed on record. The dose is 10 to 20 m. 

Thyroid Extract. — The use of Thyroid Extract, introduced by Murray, 
or feeding with minced fresh sheeps' thyroid, has been of great benefit in the 
disease known as myxcedema, and also in sporadic cretinism. The dose is 5 
to 10 m., or about one-third to one-half of a sheep's thyroid. 






624 APPENDIX. 

Brain Extract. — Paul has used the gray matter of a sheep's brain pre- 
pared in the same way as is the testicular fluid. The results have been very 
favorable. The dose is 15 m. In this country the brain of the ox has been 
used, prepared by washing with Boric Acid solution, and prolonged maceration 
in solution of Boric Acid, Alcohol and Glycerin, with filtration. The dose is 
5 m. This preparation has been used with excellent, although not always 
constant results. Apparently the indications for the use of these extracts are 
not fully understood. In their employment the most scrupulous antisepsis 
must be insisted upon, and the dose carefully watched. Febrile reaction, pros- 
tration, and in some cases cardiac weakness, has followed their use. 

Sertim Therapy. — Another form in which organic extracts have been 
used consists in the administration of serum from animals rendered immune to 
the diseases for which this remedy (antitoxin) is given. The best results have 
been obtained in tetanus, the antitoxin of Tizzoni, prepared from the blood 
serum of animals, rabbits or dogs. In pneumonia not only has the serum of 
immunized rabbits been successfully employed, but also the serum of patients 
convalescent from the disease. In typhoid fever similar experiments have been 
carried out, but the results are inconclusive, although it is demonstrated that 
this treatment is harmless. 

In tuberculosis and in diphtheria much work is being done, but as yet no 
definite statements can be made. It is quite likely that in the immediate 
future practical therapeutic results may be obtained, and Organo-therapy will 
be established upon a firm basis. At present the most constant beneficial 
results have followed the use of thyroid extract and thyroid feeding in myxce- 
dema. 

FABIANA. 

PICHI. — The branches of the woody shrub, Fabiana imbricata (nat. ord. 
Solanacece). Habitat. — Peru and Chili. 

Characteristics. — A woody shrub growing on rocky hill-tops, with 
plume-like sprays, the small densely crowded leaves much resembling those of 
a conifer. The branches and leafy branchlets are resinous, with an aromatic 
odor and taste. 

Composition. — It contains (1) an essential oil, (2) a Resin, (3) a crystal- 
line substance, (4) a bitter alkaloid, Fabianine. 

Dose, 1 to 40 m. of the Fluid Extract. 

Therapeutics. 

Pichi is a diuretic of great value in inflammation of bladder 
and catarrh of the urinary tract. It should not be used in 
structural disease. It is best prescribed in combination with an 
alkali, as sodium carbonate. 



APPENDIX. 625 

FERRUM DIALYSATUM. 
DIALYZED IRON. 

Source. — By heating a solution of Ferric Chloride with Ammonia, Ferric 
Hydrate being precipitated, this being redissolved by agitation, is placed in a 
dialyzer and suspended in water, which is renewed so long as it shows a trace 
of Hydrochloric Acid. 

Characters. — A reddish-brown liquid, free from astringent, styptic taste. 

Composition. — Its composition varies from Fe 2 Cl 6 , 1 2Fe 2 3 to Fe 2 Cl 6 , 95 
Fe 2 3 , and is a 10 per cent, solution of Ferric Oxychloride in water. 

Dose, 10 to 30 m. 

Uses. 

In arsenical poisoning a dose of common salt or of sodium 
bicarbonate, followed by 1 fl. oz. of dialyzed iron diluted with 
water, is efficient. It is not considered an eligible iron prepa- 
ration]. 

[GUAIACOLUM.] 

GUAIACOL.— [C 6 H 4 OHOCH 3 . Synonym.— Methyl Pyrocatechin. A 
liquid constituting from 60 to 90 per cent, of Creosote {see p. 280), which is 
mainly composed of this and Creosol. 

Source. — By fractional distillation of Beech- wood Tar; treated with 
Ammonia to remove acid compounds, and then again fractionated. 

Characters. — A colorless, highly refractive liquid, of a strongly aromatic 
odor. Sp. gr., I.117. Solubility. — Very slightly in water, readily in Alcohol 
and Ether. 

Dose, 2 to 10 m. 

GUAIACOL BENZOAS.— Guaiacol Benzoate. C 6 H 4 OHC 6 H 5 C0 2 . 
Synonyms. — Benzosol, Benzoyl-Guaiacol. 

Source. — This is prepared by adding to an alcoholic solution of Guaiacol, 
Potassium Hydroxide, forming Potassium Guaiacol, which is heated in a 
water-bath with Benzoyl Chloride. Benzoyl Guaiacol is formed and purified 
by recrystallization from Alcohol. 

Characters. — A colorless, odorless and tasteless crystalline powder. 
Solubility. — Almost insoluble in water ; readily soluble in Ether and Chloroform. 

Dose, 2 to 10 gr. 

GUAIACOL CARBONAS.— Guaiacol Carbonate. (C 6 H 4 OCH 3 ) 2 C0 2 . 

Source. — By passing phosgene gas (COCl 2 ) into Guaiacol, previously dis- 
solved in a Soda solution. The carbonate is obtained by crystallization. 

Characters. — A white, neutral, crystalline powder, almost odorless and 
tasteless. Sohibility. — Insoluble in water ; soluble in Ether and Chloroform. 

Dose, 5 to 30 gr. 
.53 



626 APPENDIX. 

GUAIACOL SALICYLAS.— Guaiacol Salicylate. C 6 H 4 OHC0 2 

Source. — By the action of Phosphorus Oxychloride on a mixture of 
Sodium Guaiacol and Salicylate. 

Characters. — A white, crystalline, odorless and tasteless powder. 
Solubility. — Insoluble in water; soluble in Alcohol, Ether and Chloroform. 

Dose, 5 to 30 m. 

Action and Uses. 

Guaiacol is used for the same purposes as creosote. It is, 
however, less likely to irritate the intestinal canal and the kidneys. 

Benzosol was introduced as a nearly tasteless combination 
for the administration of guaiacol. In the digestive tract it 
splits up into guaiacol and benzoic acid. The carbonate and 
salicylate have been made as substitutes for guaiacol, and are 
in many cases preferable to it. Local cutaneous applications 
of guaiacol are believed to reduce a febrile temperature. Since 
guaiacol is by no means so valuable as creosote, these prepara- 
tions will have a limited use.] 

ICHTHYOL. 

ICHTHYOL.— [C 28 H 36 S 3 6 (NH 4 ) 2 .] Synonym.— Ammonium Sulpho- 
ichthyolate. 

Source. — A bituminous quartz containing the fossil remains of fish and 
other animals is distilled with [concentrated Sulphuric Acid, and the distillate 
is treated with a concentrated solution of Sodium Chloride, whereby the Sul- 
phuric and Sulphurous Acids are removed, while the Sulphonic Acid separates.] 
This acid is then saturated with Ammonia. 

Characters. — A viscous, reddish-brown, syrupy liquid, having a bitu- 
minous odor and taste. Solubility. — Soluble in water, Glycerin, oils and fats. 

Dose, 10 to 20 gr. 

Lithium, Sodium, and Zinc Sulpho-ichthyolates are prepared. [The name 
Ichthyol is understood to refer to the Ammonium Salt.] 

Action and Therapeutics. 

Ichthyol is chiefly used externally for chronic eczema and 
psoriasis. An ointment with lanolin and ichthyol 20 to 50 per 
cent, is easily made. [It has been used in the form of a supposi- 
tory for chronic prostatitis.] Ichthyol has been given as a pill in 
10 to 20 grain doses, thrice a day, for chronic rheumatism. 



APPENDIX. 627 

[IODOLUM. 

IODOL. — C 4 I 4 NH. Synonym. — Tetraiodopyrrol. 

Source. — From the interaction of Iodine and Pyrrol in Alcoholic solu- 
tion. 

Characters. — A pale-yellow, bulky powder, odorless and tasteless. 
Solubility. — Insoluble in water; soluble in Alcohol, Ether, and fixed oils. 

Dose, X to 3 gr. 

Action and Uses. 

It was introduced as an antiseptic iodine compound, and is 
used for the same purpose as iodoform, for which it is the usual 
substitute. It has been administered internally as a substitute 
for potassium iodide.] 

IRIDIN. Synonym. — Irisin. The powdered extractive obtained from 
the root of Iris vcsicolor, the blue flag (nat. ord. Iridacece). Habitat. — 
Britain. 

Characters. — A dark-brown, bitter, nauseous powder. 

Dose, 1 to 5 gr. 

Action and Therapeutics. 

Iridin is a chologogue, and as it rarely gripes it may be given 
when it is required to use a chologogue preparation daily for 
some time. It may be combined with calomel, euonymin, podo- 
phyllin, and other cathartic purgatives. 

LAC. 

MILK, ARTIFICIAL HUMAN. 

Preparation. — Take half a pint of skimmed milk, heat it to about 96 
F., and put into the warmed milk a piece of rennet an inch square or a tea- 
spoonful of essence of rennet. Put the milk in a fender, or over a lamp, until 
it is quite warm. As soon as it is set, remove the rennet, break up the curd 
into small pieces with a knife, and let it stand for ten or fifteen minutes ; the 
curd will then sink. Then pour the whey into a saucepan and boil quickly. 
Measure one third of a pint of this whey, and dissolve in it, while it is hot, 
1 10 grains of Sugar of Milk. When this third of a pint of whey is cold, add 
to it two-thirds of a pint of new milk and two teaspoonfuls of cream and stir. 
The food should be made fresh every twelve hours, and warmed as required. 
The piece of rennet, when taken out, can be kept in a cup and used for ten 
days or a fortnight. Care should be taken to select an essence of rennet which 
does not make the milk taste. 



628 APPENDIX. 

Action and Therapeutics. 

Artificial human milk is invaluable as a food for infants whose 
mothers cannot suckle them. Many cases of infantile diarrhoea, 
indigestion, and sickness can be cured by substituting this milk 
for the usual milk and water, or infants' food. Some large dairy 
firms supply it, but it is cheaper to make it at home, and the 
above directions are easily carried out. 

MILK, PEPTONIZED. 

Preparation. — Mix a pint of milk with 5 fluid ounces of water. Heat 
to 140 , and add Liquor Pancreatus (Benger's), 2 fl. dr. ; or Zymine, [B. P.,] 
(Fairchild's Extractum Pancreatis), 5 gr. ; and Sodium Bicarbonate, 20 gr. 
Leave the mixture at the ordinary temperature of the room for three hours, or 
if kept at about 135 F. for about half an hour, then heat for a moment to 
boiling-point. This preparation should be kept on ice until required. 

Action and Therapeutics. 
Peptonized milk is used in many conditions in which it is 
thought that the gastric digestion is too feeble to digest ordinary 
milk, or in which it is desired to avoid the curdling of milk in 
the stomach. Milk should always be peptonized before being 
introduced into an enema. A usual nutrient enema consists of 
the yolk of an egg and milk up to four fluid ounces. This mix- 
ture may be peptonized in just the same way and with the same 
quantity of peptonizing agents as the pint of milk. Thirty grains 
of common salt should be added to the enema before use. 

[LYSOLUM. 

LYSOL. — A substance containing about 50 per cent, of Cresol. 

Source. — From tar-oil, by dissolving in fat and saponifying with Alcohol. 

Characters. — A brown, oily-looking, clear liquid, with a feebly aromatic 
odor. Solubility . — Soluble in all proportions in water, forming a clear froth- 
ing, saponaceous liquid ; in Alcohol, Chloroform and Glycerin. 

Action and Uses 
Lysol is an antiseptic, about one-eighth as poisonous as car- 
bolic acid, and one-half as poisonous as creolin, used in from 
one-half to two per cent, aqueous solution. The literature is 
extensive and generally favorable.] 



APPENDIX. 629 

[MALTUM.] 

MALT. Synonym. — Byne. The seed of common barley Hordeum 
distichum (nat. ord. Gramhiacce), caused to enter the incipient state of germ- 
ination by artificial means, and dried. It contains the ferment diastase, which 
can convert starch into Dextrine and Maltose. Thus 10 (C 6 H 10 O 5 )n-f-4nH 2 O 
^4nC 12 H 22 O n , Maltose +(C 12 H 20 O 10 )n, Dextrin. 

Characters. — Is sweet, thick, brownish liquid, like honey. It forms an 
emulsion with oils. 

Composition. — This varies very much. The chief constituent is Maltose 
(C 12 H 22 O n ) ; there is also some Dextrin (C 12 H 20 O 10 ), some Diastase (unless 
destroyed by boiling), Albumin, the salts of barley, and sometimes Alcohol. 

Preparation. 
Extractum Malti. — [Extract of Malt. By maceration, dilution 
with water, straining and evaporation in vacuo of the strained liquid. 
Dose, 1 to 4 fl. dr.] 

Action and Therapeutics. 

Maltose is a very valuable food, especially for persons who 
are suffering from wasting diseases, and have a feeble digestion. 
It is easily retained by the stomach, even when, as often is the 
case in phthisis, other food, especially cod liver oil, is rejected. 
In such a case a malt extract is an excellent substitute for cod 
liver oil. Maltose as a food leads to the formation of fat. The 
diastase contained in malt extract, acting upon the starch in 
farinaceous food, converts it into dextrin and maltose, and thus 
if the secretion of saliva and pancreatic juice is feeble, the malt 
to some extent supplies their place. Like the ferments in pan- 
creatic juice and saliva, diastase can only act in an alkaline 
medium, and therefore should not be given until, at least, two 
hours after a meal. Emulsions of cod liver oil in it are frequently 
useful. A mixture of extract of malt and iron is also valuable 
(ferric pyrophosphate, 2 ; water, 3 ; dissolve and add extract of 
malt, 95. Dose, 1 to 4 fl. dr.). 

[METHYLENE BLUE. 

TETRAMETHYL THIONINCHLORIDE. C 16 H 18 N 3 SC1. 
Source. — By treating dime thy lparaphenylene diamine (NH 2 C 6 H 4 N2(CH 3 )) 
in an acid solution with Hydrogen Sulphide and Ferric Chloride. 



63O APPENDIX. 

Characters. — In small, blue scaly crystals, with a copper-bronze tinge. 
Solubility, — Readily in water. 
Dose 1 to 5 gr. 

Action and Uses. 

Methylene blue has been used for rheumatism of the joints and 
muscles. Lately it has been given for intermittent fevers, but the 
reports show that it possesses no advantages over quinine. It im- 
parts a blue color to nerve substances, and a like color to the 
urine. It may produce irritation at the neck of the bladder, which 
about 30 grains of powdered nutmeg is said to relieve. The 
Pyoktanins (the blue intended for general surgery, and the only 
one employed to any extent, and the yellow more especially for oph- 
thalmic practice,) two other aniline dyes, have been introduced into 
medicine as antiseptics. They have also been used by injection 
into inoperable neoplasms, sarcomata, epitheliomata, but while it 
is believed that, by them, a cure is not impossible, no definite 
statements can as yet be made. These remedies must be of 
absolute purity for internal use. 

METHYLENUM DICHLORIDUM. 

METHYLENE DICHLORIDE.— CH 2 C1 2 . Synonyms.— Dichloro- 

methane, Methylene Bichloride. 

Source. — By exposing to sunshine, in a glass globe, pure Chlorine and 
gaseous Methyl Chloride. 

Character. — A colorless liquid, having a chloroform-like odor. Sp. 

gr., 1.344- 

Dose, 10 to 30 m. 

Uses. 

Methylene dichloride is a powerful anaesthetic, producing 
narcotism more rapidly and of longer duration than other anaes- 
thetics, passing off, however, with great suddenness. It is believed 
to more evenly influence the circulation and respiration and to 
affect the muscular irritability less than other and similar drugs. 
The pure drug is explosive, and later investigations have not con- 
firmed the advantages claimed for it by Richardson. Several 
deaths have been produced by it. 



APPENDIX. 63 1 

MUSCARINE. 

MUSCARINE.— C 5 H ]5 NO. v An alkaloid obtained from Amanita Mus- 
caria, Fly Fungus. Habitat. — Russia and Northern Europe. 

Characters. — A liquid of the consistence of syrup, without odor or 
taste. Solubility. — Nearly in water and Alcohol; insoluble in Ether and 
Chloroform. 

Dose, yi to 2 gr. 

Action and Uses. 

Muscarine in its action resembles somewhat calabar bean, and 
it is antagonistic to atropine. It produces free salivation, abun- 
dant perspiration, diminution of the force and frequency of the 
pulse, dyspnoea, paralysis and finally death. The pupil is con- 
tracted, dilating, however, before death. The cardiac diastole 
is prolonged, due to action upon the inhibitory nerves. The 
muscles of the intestines and bladder are markedly contracted. 
The abdominal secretions are increased. Although it has been 
but little used in medicine, it is likely to be useful in intestinal 
torpor, duodenal catarrh, and in inflammatory effusions and 
exudations. As it produces contraction of pulmonary capillaries, 
it is indicated in pulmonary haemorrhages and incipient pulmon- 
ary congestion.] 

OPIUM. 

OPIUM. — The following non-official preparations are used: — Liquor 
Opii Sedativus (Battley's solution), about 50 per cent, stronger than Lauda- 
num. Acetum Opii Crocatum (black drop), four times as strong as Laudanum. 

[The following alkaloids are sometimes used: — Thebaine. C 19 H. 21 N0 3 . 
Synonym. — Paramorphine. It is contained in Opium, 0.15 to I per cent. In 
silvery scales or hard prisms, odorless and having a bitterish taste. Soluble 
in Ether, Alcohol and Chloroform. 

Narceine. C 23 H 29 N0 9 . It is contained in Opium 0.1 to 0.7 per cent., 
and is in long quadrangular prisms, or white, silky needles, sparingly soluble 
in Alcohol, and in water. 

Dose, X to U gr. 

Action and Uses. 

Narceine closely resembles morphine in its action, but is 
probably more hypnotic, and it is not followed by the disagree- 
able after-effects. Thebaine is rarely used ; it resembles strych- 
nine in its action ; in dose of one grain it causes tetanic spasms.] 



632 APPENDIX. 

OUABAIN. 

OUABAIN. C 30 H 46 O 12 . A glucoside isolated from the root of a tree, 
said to be the Carissa Schinperi. Habitat. — Africa. 

Characters — A white, crystalline powder, slightly bitter. Solubility. — 
With difficulty in cold water; soluble in Chloroform and Ether. 

Dose, s&tj gr. 

Uses. 

According to Gley it is a local anaesthetic, having ten times 
the power of cocaine. It has also been recommended for whoop- 
ing cough. As it is a very powerful drug -^ grain, when taken 
into the blood, being sufficient to kill a man, it should be used 
with great caution. 

PENTALUM. 

PEN TAL.- C 5 H 10 . Synonym.— Trimethylethylene. 

Source. — It is obtained from Amylic Alcohol by digestion with Zinc 
Chloride for twenty- four hours, and fractional distillation. 

Characters. — A colorless liquid, very volatile, insoluble in water, but 
miscible in all proportions with Alcohol, Ether, and Chloroform, highly inflam- 
mable. Sp. gr., 0.620. 

Action and Uses. 

Pental is an anaesthetic, the equal of nitrous oxide in rapidity 
of action and safety, but superior to it, in its more prolonged 
action and in having no unpleasant after-effects. Even when in- 
sensibility to pain is reached, consciousness is retained sufficiently 
to respond to commands. The stage of exhilaration is seldom 
present ; it does not lose its effect by repeated inhalations. It 
differs from chloroform in that it acts more promptly, and has no 
evil after-effects ; from ethyl bromide, in that it is somewhat 
slower in its action, but is more lasting in its effects, and can be 
prolonged as may be necessary ; from nitrous oxide, in that it 
can be continued for a longer time, and in its freedom from un- 
pleasant effects and in its safety. 

PHENOCOLLUM HYDROCHLORIDUM. 

PHENOCOLL HYDROCHLORIDE.— C 10 H u N 2 O 2 HCl. 

Source. — By the intermixture of Phenetidin with Glycocoll or Amido- 
acetic Acid. 



APPENDIX. 633 

Characters. — It is a white micro-crystalline powder, soluble in 20 parts 
of water. 

Dose, 5 to 30 gr. 

Action and Uses. 

Phenocoll hydrochloride is non-poisonous to animals, and it 
does not injuriously affect the blood. It is an antipyretic, not 
followed by collapse or cyanosis ; the perspiration is not stronger 
than after larger doses of antipyrin. It has also been used as an 
antineuralgic ; in severe acute articular rheumatism it has exer- 
cised a beneficial action upon the joints when all other remedies 
have failed. It is rapidly excreted by the urine, to which it 
gives a brownish color. The reports, of which there are now a 
considerable number, are favorable to this remedy. 

PIPERAZINUM. 

PIPERAZINE.— C 4 H 10 N 2 . Synonyms.— Piperazidme, Ethyl en eimine, 
Diethylenediamine, Dispermine. 

Source. — By the action of Ammonia in Ethylene Chloride. The mix- 
ture of bases is fractionated, and from the fraction boiling between 266 F. and 
356 F., Piperazine separates in cooling. 

Characters. — It occurs in colorless, well-defined, acicular crystals, readily 
soluble in water. In cold aqueous solutions, it will dissolve twelve times as 
much Uric Acid as will Lithium Carbonate. 

Dose, 8 to 15 gr. 

Action and Uses. 

Piperazine is believed to increase the amount of urea, while 
the uric acid is diminished in the urine. The testimony as to its 
diuretic action is conflicting. In ordinary doses it does not 
appear to have any influence upon the system, nor does it irritate 
the gastro-intestinal or the genito-urinary tract. There is much 
clinical testimony as to the value of this drug in gout and rheu- 
matism. It may be given hypodermatically. It is so highly 
hygroscopic that it cannot be administered as pill or powder. 

PISCIDIA. 

JAMAICA DOGWOOD.— The bark of the root of Piscidia Eryth- 
rina (naf. ord. Legtiminos<z). Habitat. — West India Islands. 

Characters. — In pieces about 3 mm. in thickness ; outer surface of a 
54 



634 APPENDIX. 

dark gray-brown ; inner surface is of a dark brown color, and very fibrous. It 
has a disagreeable odor of Opium when broken ; taste acrid, and it produces a 
burning sensation in the mouth. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) A neutral principle, Pis- 
cidin, C 29 H 24 8 , which by recrystallization appears in colorless crystals, insolu- 
ble in water, soluble in Chloroform and boiling alcohol. (2) Resin. 

Preparation. 

Fluid extract, not miscible with water. 
Dose, y z to 2 fl. dr. 

Action and Uses. 

Jamaica dogwood is a narcotic, which does not affect the 
irritability of motor, or peripheral ends of sensory nerves, reduces 
reflex action, dilates the pupil, reduces the frequency of the 
pulse. It is of value as an anodyne in neuralgia and in nervous 
insomnia, and, when combined with viburnum, to relieve dysme- 
norrhaea. Locally it has been applied with success for tooth- 
ache. 

SALOPHEN. 

SALOPHEN.- C 6 H 4 (OH)C0 2 C 6 H 4 NHCOCH 3 . Synonym.— Acetyl- 

para-amidophenol Salicylate. 

Source — From Paranitrophenol Salicylate by a complicated process, 
purifying by crystallization from Alcohol. 

Characters. — Minute, white scales, free from odor or taste. It contains 
50.9 per cent, of Salicylic Acid. Solubility. — Almost insoluble in water; 
freely soluble in alkalies, Alcohol and Ether. 

Dose, 5 to 15 gr. 

Action and Uses. 

In a warm alkaline solution salophen is broken up into sali- 
cylic acid and acetylparamidophenol, the latter being harmless. 
It is decomposed in the intestines, even when given hypoder- 
matically. It is used as a substitute for salicylic acid in acute 
rheumatism, and as an intestinal antiseptic. It is probably quite 
as efficient and much safer than salol.] 

SAN IT AS. — The oleoresin common Turpentine (see p. 435), obtained 
from Pintts sylvestris, the common Scotch fir, is allowed to oxidize in the air. 
Sanitas is the aqueous solution of this oxidized Turpentine. Its active, anti- 



APPENDIX. 635 

septic principle is hydrogen dioxide. It also contains a little Thymol and 
a Camphor. 

Action and Therapeutics. 

It is a pleasant smelling, non-poisonous liquid, which may be 
used as a domestic antiseptic and disinfectant, but it is not so 
powerful as carbolic acid or as [mercuric corrosive chloride]. 

SIMULO is the fruit of Capparis coriacca [(nat. ord. Capparacece). 
Habitat.]— Peru. 

Action and Therapeutics. 

It is sometimes used for cases of epilepsy in which bromides 
disagree. A tincture (dose, 1 to 4 fl. dr.) of it is prepared. 

[SOMNAL. 

ETHYLATED-CHLORAL-URETHANE.- C r H 12 Cl 3 3 N (?). A 
liquid preparation which is a combination of Chloral, Alcohol, and Urethane, 
and is probably not a true chemical compound. 

Characters. — A colorless liquid, soluble in hot water or Alcohol, having 
a faint odor and a very pungent taste. 

Dose, 15 to 30 m. 

Uses. 

Somnal acts like chloral, but is more pleasant \ its effect is 
quick, without depressing after-effects either in the head or stom- 
ach. It should be well diluted, and administered in an alcoholic 
mixture.] 

SOJA BEANS.— The beans of Soja hispida. [Habitat.— Japan; culti- 
vated in Southern Asia. 

Composition. — Soluble Casein, 30; Albumin, 0.5; insoluble Casein, 7 , 
fat, 18; Cholesterin, 2; water, 10; Dextrin, 10; starch, 5; Cellulose, 5; Ash, 
5 ; a powerful amylolytic ferment. These are powdered and made into a 
flour, from which bread and biscuits are prepared.] The flour contains very 
little starch or sugar, sometimes not more than 2 or 4 per cent. 

Action and Therapeutics. 

Bread and biscuits made from the flour are used in the treat- 
ment of diabetes as a substitute for gluten bread ; and many 
patients prefer the taste. They are quite as efficacious in reducing 
the amount of the sugar passed in the urine. 



636 APPENDIX. 

[THEOBROMINA SODIO-SALICYLAS. 

THEOBROMINE SODIO-SALICYLATE. — C 7 H 7 NaN 4 2 4- 
NaC 7 H 5 3 . ] Synonym. — Diuretin. 

Source. — By the interaction of Sodium Theobromine and Sodium Salicy- 
late. It corresponds to the Caffeine Sodio-Salicylate, the salt of Caffeine most 
used in Germany, and contains [49.7] per cent, of Theobromine. 

[Characters. — A white powder, soluble in half its weight of warm water, 
the solution remaining perfect when cooled. 

Dose, 15 to 30 gr. 

Action and Uses. 

It is a pure diuretic, without action upon the heart, and it is 
believed that it does not irritate the kidneys. The daily dose is 
from one to two drachms, best administered in solution with 
aromatic water. It has been administered with benefit in cases 
of severe cardiac or hepatic dropsy.] It is said that it does not 
produce depression, but it has occasionally given rise to severe 
symptoms, [which may have been due to impurities.] 

[THALLINA SULPHAS. 

THALLINE SULPHATE, 2C 9 H 10 N(OCH 3 )H 2 SC\ 4- 2H 2 0. 

Source. — By heating together Paramidoanisol, Paranitranisol, Glycerin 
and Sulphuric Acid. 

Characters. — White or whitish granular crystalline powder having a 
slightly Anise-like odor and a nauseous, bitter, saline and pungent taste. Sol- 
ubility. — In 7 parts of water; in 100 parts of Alcohol. 

Dose, 2 to 10 gr. 

Action and Uses. 

It is rarely given internally, because it is poisonous to the red 
blood-corpuscles and to the nervous system. Its chief use is an 
injection for gonorrhoea, in aqueous solution, 1 gr. to 1 to 2 fl. dr., 
or it can be used in a 2 per cent, solution as gelatin bougies.] 

TONGA. 

TONGA. — [The bark of Raphidorphora vitiensis (nat. ord. Araceee) and 
Pretnna taitensis (nat. ord. Verbenacece). Habitat. — Fiji Islands. 

Composition. — The chief constituents are — (1) A volatile alkaloid, Ton- 
gine. (2) A volatile oil.] 

Dose, X to l dr - 



APPENDIX. 637 

[Preparation. 
Fluid Extract, Dose, # to 1 fl. dr.] 

Action and Therapeutics. 

Tonga undoubtedly relieves some cases of intractable neural- 
gia, but unfortunately it is expensive. 

[TRIONAL. 

TRIONAL.— C(S0 2 C 2 H 5 ) 2 CH 3 C 2 H 5 . Synonym.— Diethylsulphon-me- 

thylethyl-methane. 

Source. — It is prepared as is Sulphonal, except that Methylethyl -ketone 
is used in place of Acetone. 

Characters. — Shining, colorless, odorless crystalline plates, tasteless and 
odorless. Solubility. — In 320 parts of water; readily in Alcohol and Ether. 

Dose, 7 to 30 gr. 

Action and Therapeutics. 

Trional is a prompt hypnotic, without cumulative action, and 
it has no injurious or unpleasant after-effects. Apparently the 
patients do not become habituated to its use. It has been used 
as a hypnotic and sedative for the insane; for narcotic habitues 
so far as is known, it is a safe remedy. Tetrofial is of similar 
chemical composition and is used for about the same purpose, 
but in somewhat larger dose.] 

URETHANUM. 

URETHANE.— [CO,NH 2 OC 2 H 5 .] Synonyms.— Ethyl Carbamate, 
[Ethyl Urethane. 

Source. — By the interaction of Urea Nitrate and Ethyl Alcohol ; crystal- 
lization on cooling 

Characters. — Colorless, columnar or tubular crystals ; colorless, having 
a pleasant, saline, somewhat cooling taste. Solubility. — In 1 part of water ; 
0.6 part of Alcohol ; 1 part of Ether ; 3 parts of Glycerin. 

Dose, 5 to 30 gr.] 

Action and Uses. 

Urethane is used as a hypnotic, and is believed to provide 
a calm, natural sleep without any disagreeable after-effects. It was 
formerly more frequently employed. 



638 APPENDIX. 

WOOD WOOL. — This is finely comminuted pine wood rendered anti- 
septic with Corrosive [Mercuric Chloride.] 

Action and Therapeutics. 

It is very absorbent, is used for dressing wounds, and is very 
popular in the form of diapers (sanitary towels) for use during 
menstruation or for uterine discharges, or after delivery. It is 
also used for infants' napkins. 



APPENDIX No. II[I. 



THE PHARMACOPCELAL VEGETABLE DRUGS ARRANGED 
ACCORDING TO THEIR NATURAL ORDERS. 



Nat. Order. 


Name of Plant. 


Part of Plant. 


Name of Drug. 


[Algae 


Chondrus crispus 


Plant 


Irish moss. 




Gigartina mamillosa 


" 


] 


Anacardieae 


Pistacia Lentiscus 


Resinous exuda- 
tion 
Fruit 


Mastic. 




[Rhus glabra 


Rhus glabra. 




" radicans 


Leaves 


Poison Ivy. j 


Apocynacese 


[Apocynum cannabinum 


Root 


Canadian Hemp, j 




Aspidosperma Quebracho- 


Bark 


Quebracho] 




bianco 








Strophanthus hispidus 


Seed 


Strophanthus. 


[Aroidese 


Acorus Calamus 


Rhizome 


Sweet Flag] 


Aristolochiaceae ... 


Aristolochia Serpentaria 


Rhizome and 
roots 


Serpentaria. 




" reticulata 


«< 


[Asclepiadese 


Asclepias tuberosa 


Root 


Pleurisy Root.] 


[Berberidoeeae 


Caulophyllum thalictroides 


Rhizome and 
roots 


Blue Cohosh. 




Podophyllum peltatum 


Rhizome and 
roots 


May apple.] 


[Betulaceae 


Betula lenta 


Oil from bark 


Volatile oil of 

Betula.] 
Myrrh. 


Burseraceae 


Commiphora Myrrha 


Gum-resin 


Caprifoliaceae 


Sambucus [canadensis 


Flowers 


Elder. 




Viburnum prunifolium 


Bark 


Black Haw. 




Opulus 


Bark 


Cramp Bark ] 


Celastrineae ... 


Euonymus atropurpureus 


Bark of root 


Euonymus. 


[Chenopodiaceae... 


Chenopodium ambrosioides 


Fruit 


American Worm- 




Var. anthelminticum 




seed. 




Beta vulgaris 


From cane 


Sugar.] 

Pellitory. 

Thoroughwort. 


Compositae 


Anacyclus Pyrethrum 
Eupatorium perfoliatum 


Root 




Leaves and flow- 






ering tops 






Artemisia [pauciflora 


Flower-heads] 


Santonica. 




[Calendula officinalis 


Florets 


Marigold ] 
Chamomile 




Anthemis nobilis 


Flower-heads 




[Grindelia robusta 


Leaves and flow- 
ering tons 


Grindelia. 



Conifers;. 



squarrosa 

Matricaria Chamomilla 

Tanacetum vulgare 
Artemesia Absinthium 
Taraxacum officinale 
[Inula Helenium 
Arnica montana 



Lactuca virosa 
[Erigeron canadense 
Avctium Lappa 
[Abies balsamea 

Abies excelsa 



ering tops 

Leaves and flow- 
ering tops 

Flower-heads 

Leaves and tops 

Root 
Root 

Flower-heads 

Rhizome and 
roots 

Milk juice 

Oil from herb 

Root 

Oleoresin from 
bark 

Resinous exuda- 
tion 



German Chamo- 
mile 
Tansy. 
Wormwood.] 
Dandelion. 
Elecampane.] 
Arnica flowers. 



Lettuce. 

Oil of Fleabane. 

Burdock;] 

Canada balsam. 

Burgundy pitch.] 



639 



640 



APPENDIX. 



Nat. Order. 



Name of Plant. 



Part of Plant. Name of Drug. 



Coniferae Pinus [palustris 



Juniperus communis 
" Sabina 

" Oxycedrus 

Convolvulacese, .. Convolvulus Scammonia 

Ipomcea Jalapa 

Cruciferse Brassica alba 

" nigra 

Cucurbitaceas Citrullus Colocynthis 

[Bryonia alba 
" dioica 
Cucurbita Pepo 
Ecballium Elaterium 

Cupuliferae Quercus [alba 

" lusitanica 



Euphorbiacese . 



[Castanea dentata 
Fagus sylvatica 

Ericaceae Arctostaphylos Uva-ursi 

[Chimaphila umbellata 
Gaultheria procumbens 
Croton Eleuteria 

' ' Tiglium 
Ricinus communis 
[Hevea — sp. indeter. 
btillingia sylvatica 
Mallotus philippinensis 

Filices., [Dryopteris] Filix-mas 

" marginalis 

Fungi ■. Claviceps purpurea 

Gentianeae Gentiana lutea 

[Swertia] Chirata 

Geraniaceae Geranium maculatum 

Gramineae [Agropyrum repens 

Zea Mays 



Hordeum distichum 
Saccharum officinarum 

Guttiferae Garcinia Hanburii 

[Hamamelaceae... Liquidambar orientalis 
Hamamelis virginiana 
Hydrophyllaceae.. Eriodictyon glutinosum 

Irideae Crocus sativus 

Iris versicolor 

Juglandaceae Juglans einerea 

Labiatse Rosmarinus officinalis 

[Salvia officinalis 
Scutellaria lateriflora 
Lavandula [officinalis] 
Hedeoma pulegioides 
Mentha piperita 
" viridis 
" arvensis 
[ " canadensis 
Melissa officinalis 
[Monarda punctata 
Thymus vulgaris 



Oleoresin from 


Tar. 


woodl 




Oleoresin 


Turpentine. 


Oil from fruit 


Oil of juniper. 


Tops 


Savine. 


Distillation of 


Oil of cade. 


wood 




Resinous exuda- 


Scammony. 


tion 




Tuberous root 


Jalap. 


Seed 


White mustard. 


" 


Black mustard. 


Fruit 


Colocynth. 


Root 


Bryonia. 


Seed 


Pumpkin seed. J 


Juice of Fruit 


Elaterium. 


Bark 


White oak.] 


Parasitic excres- 


Nutgall. 


cences 




Leaves 


Chestnut. 


Wood-tar 


Creosote.] 


Leaves 


Uva ursi. 


Leaves 


Pipsissewa.] 


Oil from leaves 


Oilofwintergreen 


Bark 


Cascarilla. 


Oil from seed 


Croton oil. 


" 


Castor oil. 


Milk-juice 


India rubber. 


Root 


Queen's root,] 


Glands and hairs 


Kamala. 


from capsules 




Rhizome 


Male fern. 
" 1 


Sclerotium 


Ergot. 


Root 


Gentian. 


Plant 


Chirata. 


Rhizome 


Cranesbill. 


Rhizome 


Couch-grass.] 


Styles and stig- 


Corn-silk. 


mas 




Fecula of seed 


Starch. 


heed 


Pearl barley. 


From cane 


Sugar. 


Gum-resin 


Gamboge. 


Balsam from bark 


Storax. 


Leaves 


Hamamelis. 


Leaves 


Eriodictyon. 


Stigmas 


Saffron. 


Rhizome and roots 


Bluefiag. 


Bark of root 


Butternut.] 


Oil from leaves 


Oil of rosemary. 


Leaves 


Sage. 


Herb 


Scullcap.] 


Oil of flowers 


Oil of lavender. 


Leaves and tops 


Pennyroyal. 


tt <. 


Peppermint. 


" " 


Spearmint. 


Stereopten 


Menthol. 
<< 


Leaves and tops 


Balm. 


Phenol from oil 


Thymol.] 



[Marrubium vulgare 



Oil from leaves and Oil of thyme, 
flowering tops 
Leaves and tops Horehound.] 



APPENDIX. 



64I 



Nat. Order. 


Name of Plant. 


Part of Plant. 
Bark of shoots 


Name of Drug. 
ChineseCinnamon 


Laurinese 


[Cinnamomum — sp. indeter. 




" " 


Bark 


Saigon " ] < 




" zeylanicum 


Bark of shoots 


Ceylon " 




" Camphora 


Stearopten 


Camphor. 




Sassafras variifolium 


Bark of root 


Sassafras. 




" " 


Pith 


Pith. 


Leguminosae 


Astragalus gummifer 


Gummy exuda- 
tion 
Gum from stem 


Tragacanth. 




Acacia Senegal 


Gum Arabic. 




Glycyrrhiza glabra [and var. 


Root 


Liquorice. 




glandulifera] 








Cystisus Scoparius 


Pops 


Broom. 




Pterocarpus santalinus 


Wood. 


Red Saunders. 




" Marsupium 


Inspissated juice 


Kino. 




[Toluifera] Pereirae 


Balsam 


Balsam of Peru. 




" Balsamum 


" 


Balsam of Tolu. 




Physostigma venenosum 


Seed 


Calabar bean. 




Andira Araroba 


Neutral principle. 


Chrysarobin. 




Cassia acutifolia 


Leaflets 


Senna. 




" angustifolia 


" 


" 




" Fistula 


Fruit 


Purging Cassia. 




Haematoxylon campechianum 


Wood 


Logwood. 




Tamarindus indica 


Pulp of fruit 


Tamarind. 




[Acacia Catechu 


Extract from 
wood 


Catechu. 




Copaiba] Langsdorfni 


Oleoresin 


Copaiba. 


Lichenes 


Cetraria islandica 


Phallus 


Iceland Moss. 


Liliaceae 


[Allium sativum 


Bulb . 


Garlic] 




Colchicum autumnale 


Corm 


Colchicum root. 




<< tt 


Seed 


" seed. 




[Convallaria majalis 


Rhizome and 
roots 


Convallaria.] 




Smilax officinalis 


Root 


Sarsaparilla. 


■ 


" [medica 


" 


" 




" papyracea 


'•' 


] 




Asagraea officinalis 


Alkaloids from 
seed 


Veratrine 




Veratrum viride 


Rhizome and 
roots 


Veratrum Viride 




Urginea [maritima] 


Bulb 


Squill. 




Aloe Perryi 


Juice of leaves 


Socatrine Aloes. 




" [vera] 


" 


Barbadoes " 


Lineae 


Linum usitatissimum 


Seed and oil 


Linseed. 




Erythroxylon Coca 


Leaves 


Coca. 


Lobeliaceae 


Lobelia inflata 


Leaves and tops 


Lobelia. 


Loganiaceae 


Strychnos Nux-vomica 


Seed 


Nux vomica. 




[Spigelia marilandica 


Rhizome and 
roots 


Pink root.] 




Gelsemium sempervirer.s 


Rhizome and 
roots 


Gelsemium. 


[Lycopodiacese. ... 


Lycopodium clavatum 


Spores 


Lycopodium.] 


[Lythrarieae 


Punica Granatum 


Bark of stem and 

root 
Fruit 


Pomegranate.] 


[Magnoliaceae 


Ulicium verum 


Star-anise.] 


Malvaceae 


Gossypium [herbaceum 


Hairs of seed 


Purified Cotton. 




t( a 


Bark of root 
( )il from see H 


Cotton root bark. 
Cotton seprl oil 



Menispermacese. .. 



Althaea officinalis 
Jateorhiza [palmata] 
Chondrodendron tomentosum 
[Menispermum canadense 

Anamirta paniculata 



Root 



Rhizome and 

roots 
Neutral principle 

from seed 



Marshmallow.] 
Calumba. 
Pareira. 

Canadian Moon- 
seed.] 
Picrotoxin. 



642 



APPENDIX. 



Nat. Order. 
Myristicaceae... 



Name of Plant. 



Myrtaceae. 



Myiistica fragrans 



Eugenia [aromatica] 



[Myrcia acris 
Pimenta officinalis 
Melaleuca [Leucadendron] 
Eucalyptus globulus 
" [oleosa] 

Oleaceae Olea europaea 

Frax[in]us Ornus 

[Orchideae Cypripedium pubescens 

parviflorum 

Vanilla planifolia 
Papaveraceae Papaver somniferum 

[Chelidonium majus 
Sanguinaria canadensis 

Pedalaceae Sesamum indicum 

Piperaceae Piper nigrum 

Piper Cubeba 
Piper angustifolium 

[Phytolaccaceae... Phytolacca decandra 

Polygaleae Polygala Senega 

Krameria triandra 
" Ixina 

[Polygonaceae]. ,,. Rheum officinale 

, Rumex crispus 
Ranunculaceae.. ... Aconitum Napellus 
[Anemone Pulsatilla 

" pratensis 

Delphinium Staphisagria 
Cimicifuga racemosa 
Hydrastis canadensis 

Rhamneae Rhamnus Frangula 

[ " Purshiana 

Rosaceae Rosa gallica 

'• centifolia 
[ " damascena 
Rubus villosus 
" canadensis 
" trivialis 
" idaeus 
Prunus Amygdalus var. dulcis 
" " " amara 

Hagenia abyssinia 



Prunus dom stica 
[ " serotina 
Quillaja Saponaria 
Coffea arabica 

Cinchona officinalis 
" Calisaya 

" succirubra 

Cephaelis Ipecacuanha 
[Xantholylum americanum 

Clava-Herculis 
Citrus vulgaris 
' ' Aurantium 



Rubiaceae 



Rutaceae 



Part of Plant. 


Name of Drug. 


[Arillode of the 


Mace.] 


seed 




Seed 


Nutmeg. 


Unexpanded flow 


Cloves. 


ers 




Oil from leaves 


Oil of Bay.] 


Fruit 


Allspice. 


Oil from leaves 


Oil of Cajuput. 


Leaves 


Eucalyptus. 


Oil from leaves 


Oil of Eucalyptus. 


Oil from fruit 


Olive oil. 


Exudation 


Manna. 


Rhizome and 


Ladies' slipper. 


roots 




Rhizome and 


*' 


roots 




Fruit 


Vanilla.] 


Exudation from 


Opium. 


capsules 




Plant 


Celandine. 


Rhizome 


Bloodroot. 


Oil from seed 


Benne oil] 


Fruit 


Black pepper. 


" 


Cubeb. 


Leaves 


Matico. 


Root 


Poke Root. 


Fruit 


" Berry.] 


Root 


Senega. 


" 


Rhatany. 


« 


Rhubarb. 


" 


Yellow Dock. 


Tuber 


Aconite. 


Herb 


Pulsatilla. 


Seed 


Stavesacre.] 


Rhizome and roots 


Cimicifuga. 


Rhizome and roots 


Hydrastis. 


Bark 


Frangula. 


# 


Cascara Sagrada.] 


Petals 


Red rose. 


" 


Pale rose. 


Oil from flowers 


Oil of rose. 


Bark of root 


Blackberry. 


Fruit 


Raspberry.] 


Seed 


Sweet almond. 


" 


Bitter almond. 


Female inflores- 


[Kousso.] 


cence 




Fruit 


Prune. 


Bark 


Wild Cherry. 


" 


Soap bark.] 


Proximate princi- 


Caffeine. 


ple from seeds 




Bark 


Cinchona bark. 


•'< 


Red cinchona. 


Root 


Ipecac. 


Bark 


Prickly ash. 


Rind of fruit 


Bitter orange peel. 


" " 


Sweet orange peel. 



APPENDIX. 



643 



Nat. Order. 



Name of Plant. 



Part of Plant. Name of Drug. 



Rutaceas Citrus Lirnonum 

[ '• Bergamia 

Barosma betulina 
" crenulata 
[Pilocarpus Selloanus 
" Jaborandi 

Salicaceae Salix [sp. indet. 

[Populus sp. indet, 
Santalacese Santalum album 

[Sapindacete.. Paullinia Cupana 

[Scitamineae Elettaria repens 

Zingiber officinale 
Scrophularineae... Digitalis purpurea 

[Veronica virginica 

Simarubeae Picrsena excelsa 

Solanacese 1 Capsicum fastigiatum 

Atropa Belladonna 
Datura Stramonium 
Hyoscyamus niger 

[Solanum Dulcamara 
Nicotiana Tabacum 

Sterculiaceae Theobroma Cacao 

Styraceae Styrax Benzoin 

Ternstroemiacea;.. Thea [sinensis 

Thymelaeaceae Daphne Mezereum 

Umbelliferse Conium maculatum 

Pimpinella Anisum 
Carum Ajowan 
j Ferula [fcetida] 

Ferula Sumbul 
; Dorema Ammoniacum. 
Coriandrum sativum 
Fceniculum capillaceum 
Carum Car[v]i 

Urticacea:.. [Humulus Lupulus 

Ficus Carica 

tUlmus fulva 
-annabis sativa 
Valerianeae Valeriana officinalis 

[Vitaceae Vitis vinifera 

Zygophylleas Guaiacum officinale 

" sanctum 



Rind of fruit Lemon peel. 

Juice " " juice. 

Oil from rind of Oil of bergamot.] 

fruit 
Leaves Buchu. 



Leaflets 



Jaborandi. 



Neutral principle] Salicin. 



Oil from wood 


Oil of Sandal 




^ Wood. 


Seeds 


Guarana.j 


Fruit 


Cardamom. 


Rhizome 


Ginger.] 


Leaves 


Digitalis. 


Rhizome and 


Culver's Root.] 


roots 




Wood 


Quassia. 
Capsicum. 


Fruit 


Root and leaves 


Belladonna. 


Seed and leaves 


Stramonium. 


Leaves and flow- 


Henbane. 


ering tops 




Branches 


Bittersweet.] 


Leaves 


Tobacco. 


Oil from seed 


Oil of theobroma. 


Balsamic Resin 


Benzoin. 


Proximate princi- 


Caffeine. 


ple] from leaves 




Bark 


Mezereum. 


Fruit 


Hemlock. 


" 


Anise. 


Phenol from oil. 


Thymol. 


Gum-resin from 


Asafetida. 


root 




Root 


Sumbul. 


Gum-resin 


Ammoniac 


Fruit 


Coriander. 




Fennel. 


' 


Caraway. 


Strobiles 


Hops.] 


Fleshy receptacle 


Fig. 


Inner bark 


Slippery Elm. 


Flowering tops 


Indian cannabis ] 


Rhizome and 


Valerian. 


roots 




From juice of fruit 


White wine. 


" " " 


Red Wine.] 


Heart wood 


Guaiacum wood. 


Resin 


Guaiac] 


Wood 


Guaiacum wood. 



APPENDIX No. I[V.] 

A LIST OF LATIN PHRASES COMMONLY USED IN 
THE WRITING OF PRESCRIPTIONS. 



aa. 

Ad. 
Ad lib. 
Ad us. 

[Alt. hor. 

Ampul. 

Aq. 

Aq. bull. 

Aq. dest. : 

[Aq. ferv. 

Aq. fluv. 

Aq. font. 

Aq. pluv. 

Bib. 

Bis. ind. 

Bis- in 7 d. 

[Bo). 

C. 

Cap. 

[Cap. 

Chart. 

Chartul. 

Col. 

Cm. 

C. m. s. 

C. n. 

Cochl. 

Cochl. ampl. 

Cochl. infant. 

Cochl. mag. 

Cochl. mod. 

Cochl. parv. 

Contin. 

Cuj. 

C. v. 
Cyath. 
Cyath. vinos. 
D. 

d. 

D. d. in d 
Det. 

Dieb. alt. 
Dim. 
Div. 

D. in p. ae. 
Exhib. 
F. or ft. 
F. h. 
F. m. 
F. pil. 
[Form. 
F. s. a. 
Gtt. 
Habt. 



Ana. 

Adde. 

Ad libitum. 

Ad usum 

iEquales 

Alternis horis 

Ampulla 

Aqua 

Aqua bulliens 

Aqua destillata. 

Aqua fervens 

Aqua fluviatilis 

Aqua fontalis 

Aqua pluvialis 

Bibe 

Bis indies 

Bis in septem diebus 

Bolus 

Cum - 

Capiat . 

Capsula 

Charta 

Chartula 

Cola 

Cras mane 

Cras mane sumendus 

Cras nocte 

Cochleare. 

Cochleare amplum 

Cochleare infantis 

Cochleare magnum 

Cochleare modicum 

Cochleare parvum 

Continueter 

Cuj us 

Cras vespere 

Cyathus 

Cyathus vinosus 

Dosis 

Da- 

De die in diem 

Detur. 

Diebus alternis 

Dimidius 

Divide 

Divide in parts sequales 

Exhibiatur 

Fiat 

Fiat haustus 

Fiat mistura 

Fiat pilula 

Formula 

Fac secundem arten 

Gutta or guttae 

Habeat 



of each. 

add. 

to the desired amount, 

according to custom. 

equal. 

every other hour. 

a large bottle] 

water. 

boiling water 

distilled water. 

hot water. 

river water. 

spring water. 

rain water] 

drink. 

twice a day 

twice a week. 

a large pill] 

with 

let him take. 

a capsule. 

a paper. 

a small paper. 

strain.] 

to-morrow morning. 

to be taken to-morrow morning 

to-morrow night. 

spoonful. 

a table-spoonful. 

a teaspoonful. 

a table-spoonful. 

a dessert-spoonful. 

a teaspoonful. 

let it be continued. 

of which. 

to-morrow evening. 

a glassful. 

a wine glassful. 

a dose. 

give. 

from day to day. 

let it be given. 

on alternate days. 

one half. 

divide. 

divide into equal parts. 

let it be given. 

let it be made. 

make a draught. 

make a mixture. 

make a pill. 

a prescription. 

make according to art.] 

drop or drops. 

let him have. 



644 



APPENDIX. 



645 



Hor. intermed. 

H. s. 

Ind. 

Lat. dol. 

[Mic. pan. 

Mit. 

Mod. praescript. 

r Non repetat. 



g 



Omn. bih. 

Omn. hor. 

O. n. 

P. or pt. 

Part. aeq. 

[Penicil. cam. 

Pil. 

P. r. n. 

Q.l. 

Q.s. 

Q. v. 

R. 

Rep. 

Sing. 

[Si op. sit. 

Sum. 

T. d. 

[Ter. 

Ter. bene. 



Horis intermediis 

Hora somni 

Indies 

Lateri dolenti 

Mica panis 

Mitte 

Modo praescripto 

Non repetatur 

Omni mane 

Omni bihora 

Omni hora 

Omni nocte 

Perstetur 

Partes aequales 

Penicillum camehnum 

Pilula. 

Pro re nati 

Quantum libet 

Quantum sufhcit 

Quantum volueris 

Recipe 

Repetatur 

Singulorum 

Si opus sit 

Sumat or sumendum 

Ter in die 

Tere 

Tere bene. 



at intermediate hours. 

at bedtime. 

daily. 

to the painful ?ide. 

bread crumb]. 

send. 

in the manner directed. 

let it not be repeated.] 

every morning. 

every two hours. 

every hour. 

every night. 

continue. 

equal parts. 

a camel's hair pencil. 

T n - ] • A 

when required. 

as much as is requisite. 

a sufficient quantity. 

at will. 

take. 

let it be repeated. 

of each. 

if necessary.] 

let him take or let it be taken. 

three times a day. 

Rub. 

Rub well.] 



INDEX. 



ABBREVIATIONS, L40. 
Absinthin, 470. 

Absinthium, 470. 

Absinthol, 470. J 

Abstracta, 31. 
[Absolute alcohol, 244. 

Absorbent cotton, 559.] 

Acacia, 515. 

Accelerating centre, drugs 
acting on, 52. 

Aceta, 19. 

Acetanilid, 272, 
[Acetyl-para-amidophenol 
salicylate, 634. 

Acetic acid, 233. 

glacial, 233.] 

— ether, 263. 
[Acid, acetic, 233. 

— arsenous, 198. 
solution, 199. 

— benzoic, 550. 

— boric, 240. 

— carbolic, 275. 

crude, 275. 

ointment, 275. 

— citric, 233. 
syrup, 234. 

— chromic, 208. 

— digallic, 501, 

— gallotannic, 501. 

— gallic, 503- 

— hydriodic, syrup, 218. 

— hydrochloric, 232. 

— hypophosphoric, diluted, 

212. 

— hypophosphorous, diluted, 

212. 

— hydrocyanic, 285. 

— lactic, 234. 

— meconic, 291, 589. 

— muriatic, 232. 



■ Acid, nitric, 232. 

— nitrohydrochloric, 232. 

— nitromuriatic, 232. 
I — oleic, 515. 

— phenic, 275 

i — phosphoric, 233. 
I — prussic, 285. 

— pyrogallic, 504. 
I — salicylic, 396. 

i — stearic, 576. 

— sulphuric, 231. 
aromatic, 231. 

— sulphurous, 239. 

— tannic, 501. 

ointment, 501. 

■ troches, 501. 

— tartaric, 234."] 
Acids, 231. 

Acidum aceticum, 233. 

— arsenosum, 198. 

— benzoicum, 550. 

— boricum, 240. 

— carbolicum. 275. 
[ — — crudum, 275.] 

— chromicum, 208. 

[ — chrysophanicum, 411.] 

— citricum, 233. 

— gallicum, 503. 

— hydrobromicum [dilutum,] 

226. 

— hydrochloricum, 232. 

— hydrocyanicum, 285. 

[ — hypophosphoricum dilu- 
tum, 212. 

— hypophosphorosum dilu- 

tum, 212.] 

— lacticum, 234. 

— meconicum, 291, 589. 

— 'nitricum, 332. 

[ — nitrohydrochloricum, 23a.] 

— oleicum, 515. 



Acid, phosphoricum, 233. 

— pyrogallicum, 504. 

— salicylicum, 396. 
[ — stearicum, 576.] 

— sulphuricum, 231. 

[ aromaticum, 231.] 

— sulphurosum, 239. 

— tannicum, 501. 

— tartaricum, 234. 

[ — valerianicum, 471. 

Aconine, 363.] 

Aconite, 363. 

Aconitina, 589. 
[Acorin, 491. 

Actions, pharmacological, 

4 1 - 

— therapeutical, 41.] 
Adeps, 581. 

— benzo[inJatus, 550. 

— lanae, 590. 
hydrosus, 576. 

[Adhesive plaster, 442.] 

Adjuvans, 36. 

Administration of drugs, 33. 
[Adonidin, 611.] 

^Esculap, 85. 

Mther, 260. 

— aceticus, 263. 
[iEthyl bromidum, 611. 

Ethylene bichloridum, 612. 

African pepper, 459.] 

Air, 67. 
[Alantin, 382.] 

Albumen, 590. 

Alcohol, 243. 
[ — absolute, 244.] 

— amylic, 590. 

[— deodorized, 344. 

— ethyl, 243. 

— phenyl, 272. 

— tertiary amyl, 613. 



646 



INDEX. 



647 



Aldehyde, ethylic,] 271, 

Alkaline earths, 139. 
[ — metals,] 113. 

Alkaloids, 12. 
[Allium, 378. 

Allyl sulphocyanide, 444. 

Allspice, 454. 

— oil,] 455- 
Almond, [bitter, 516. 

— Jordan, 517. 

— sweet,] 517. 
Aloe, 417. 

[ — barbadensis, 417. 

— curacoa, 417. 
— -purificata, 418. 

— socatrina, 418. 
Aloes, Zanzibar,] 419. 
Aloin, 419. 
Alterative. 106. 

[Althaea,] 515. 
Alum, 149. 
[ — ammonio-ferric, 172. 

— burnt, 150. 

— dried, 150. 

— potassium, 149. 
Alumen, 149. 

— exsiccatum, 150. 

— ustum, 150. 
Alumina, hydrated,] 150. 
Aluminum, 149. 

[ — hydrate, 150. 

— hydroxide, 150. 

— sulphate, 150. 

— and potassium sulphate. 

149. 
Amaroids, 12, 
American hellebore, 366. 

— wormseed, 529. 
Ammonio-ferric alum, 172. 

— sulphate, 172. 
Ammonia, aromatic spirit of, 

135- 

— bakers', 135 

— liniment, 134. 

— spirit of, 133. 

— water, 133. 
Ammoniac. 474. 

— emulsion, 475. 

— plaster with mercury,] 187. 
Ammoniacum, 474. 

[Ammoniated glycyrrhizin, 
521. 

— mercury, 190. 



Ammoniated mercury oint- 
ment. 190. 

Ammonium], acetate, solu- 
tion of, 137. 

— benzoate, 550. 

— bromide, 222. 

[ — carbonate, 135. 

— chloride, 136. 

— — troches, 136. 

— iodide, 218. 

— nitrate, 137. 

— sulphoichthyolate, 626. 

— valerianate, 471. 
Ammonio-mercuric chloride, 

612. 

— ferric citrate, 173. 

tartrate,] 174. 

Ammonium, 133. 
Amygdala [amara, 516. 

! — dulcis,] 517. 
[ Amyl colloid, 612. 
1 Amyl nitrite, 265. 
[Amylene hydrate,] 613. 
Amylic alcohol, 590. 
Amylum, 563. 
Anaesthetics, general, 99. 
j — local, 93. 
[ — dangers of,] 100. 
Anaphrodisiacs, 104. 
[Anethene, 591. 
Anethol, 466. 
i Anethum, 591. 
Anemonin, 374. 
Angustura bark, 594.] 
I Anhidrotics, 58. 
[Anhydroglucochloral, 616. 
Animal charcoal,] 242. 
Anise, 466. 
[Anisum, 466. 
Annidalin, 613. 
; Anodyne, Hoffman's,] 
260. 
Anodynes, local, 93. 
Anthelmintics, 44. 
[Anlhemene, 495. 
Anlhemis, 495 
Anthemol,] 495. 
Anticholagogues, 89, 106. 
[Antidote, arsenic,] 172. 
Antiemetics, 81. 
Antifebrin, 272. 
Antigalactagogues, 106. 
I Antihidrotics, 58. 



Antimony [and potassium 
tartrate, 204. 

— oxide, 204. 

— sulphide, 203. 
purified, 203. 

— sulphurated, 204. 

— trisulphide, 203. 

— trioxide, 204. 
Antimony, 203. 

— tartrated, 204. 

— wine of, 205. 

— pills, compound, 189, 
Antimonial powder,] 204. 
Antiparasitics, 45. 
Antiperiodics, 45. 
Antipyretics, 64. 
Antipyrin, 591. 
Antiseptics, 42, 275. 

[— intestinal,] 86. 

Antisialogogues, 73. 

Antispasmodics, 70. 

Antizymotics, 44. 

Aphrodisiacs, 104. 
[Apocynein, 533. 

Apocynin, 533. 

Apocynum,] 533. 

Apomorphine hydrochlorate, 

3°4- 
[Aporetin, 411.] 

Aqua, 108. 
[ — ammonias, 133. 

— amygdalae amarae, 517. 

— anisi, 467. 

— aurantii riorum, 499. 

— camphorae, 543. 

— chlori, 214. 

— chloroformi, 254. 

— cinnamomi, 459. 

— creosoti, 280. 

— destillata, 108. 

— fceniculi, 468. 

— hydrogenii dioxidi, 112. 

— menthae piperitae, 464. 

— menthae viridis, 465. 

— - rosae,] 555. 
Aquae, 19. 
Arabin. 15, 519. 

[Arabic acid, 519. 
Araroba powder, 552. 
Arbutin, 531, 574. 
Argenti cyanidum, 157. 

— iodidum, 157. 

— nitras, 156. 



648 



INDEX. 



Argenti nitras dilutus, 156. 

— nitras fusus, 157. 

— oxidum, 157.] 
Argentum, 156. 
Aristol, 613. 
Aristolochine, 494.] 
Armoricia, 593. 

[Arnicin, 450. 
Aromatic elixir, 499. 

— powder, 458.] 
Arnica, 449. 
Arsenic, 198. 

[Arsenic and mercuric iodide, 

solution of, 189. 
Arsenic antidote, 172. 

— iodide, 199. 

— trioxide, 198. 

— white, 198. 
Arseni iodidum, 199. 
Arsenous acid, 198. 

solution of, 199. 

Arsenum, 198.] 
Asafcetida, 473. 

[Asaprol, 614. - 
Asclepias, 381. 
Ash, prickly, 566. 
Aspidium, 524. 
Aspidosamine, 383. 
Aspidosperma, 382. 
Aspidospermine, 383. 
Aspidospermatine,] 383. 
Astringents, 56. 

— intestinal, 86. 
Atropa belladonna, 307. 
Atropina, 309. 
Atropinse sulphas, 309. 

[Atropurpurin, 432. 
Attar of rose, 555.] 
Aurantii amari cortex, 497. 

— dulcis cortex, 498. 

— florum, oil of, 499. 
[Auri et sodii chloridum, 186. 
Aurum, 186.] 

D AEL fruit, 593. 

[Baker's ammonia, 135. 
Balm, 556.] 
Balsam of Peru, 477. 
[ — of copaiba, 481.] 

— of Tolu, 478. 
[— of Fir, 443. 

Balsamum peruvianum, 477. 

— tolutanum, 478.] 



Balsams, 14. 
[Barbadoes aloes, 419. 
Barbaloin, 419.] 
[Barii dioxidum, 145. 
Barium, 145. 

— dioxide, 145. 

— peroxide, 145. 
Barley, pearl, 600. 
Barosmin,] 480. 
Barus camphor, 543. 
Basis, 36. 

[Basham's mixture, 170. 

Basilicon ointment, 442. J 

Bassorin, 518. 

Baths, 108. 
[ — cold, 109. 

— warm, 109. 

— tepid, in.] 
Battley's solution, 631. 

[Bay oil, 558, 

— rum, 558. 
Bearberry, 531.] 
Bebeeru bark, 601. 
Beberine [sulphate, 601.] 
Belae fructus, 593. 
Belladonna, 307. 

[Benne oil, 558. 

Benzin, 562. 

Benzinum, 562. 

Benzoic acid, 550. 

Benzosol, 625. 

Benzoyl-guaiacol, 625. 

Benzoyl-sulphonic-imide, 
606 ] 

Benzoin, 549. 
[Benzoinum, 549. 

Berbenne, 403, 489, 569. 

Beer yeast, 609. 

Beta-naphtol, 284. 

Betula, volatile oil of, 400.] 

Bile, drugs acting on, 88. 

Bismuth, 165. 
[ — basic gallate of, 615. 

— salicylate, 614. 
Bismuth and ammonium ci 

trate, 165. 
Bismuth citrate, 165. 

— subcarbonate, 165 

— subnitrate, 165.] 
Bitters, 489. 

[Bittersweet, 572. 
Bitter water, 85. 

— almond, 516. 



Bitter calumba, 426. 

— orange peel, 497. 

— principles, 12. 

Black antimony purified, 203. 

— berry, 509.] 

— draught, 415. 

— drop, 292. 
[-haw, 573. 

— mustard, 444. 

— pepper, 455, 

— snake root, 495.] - • 

— wash, 194. 

Bladder, action of drugs on, 

6 3 - 
Blaud's pills, 168. 
Bleaching powder, 214. 
[Blistering collodion, 560. 
Blood, drugs acting on, 45. 

— root, 373. 
Blue flag, 431. 

— mass, 187.] 

— ointment, 187 
' — pill, 187. 

[ — vitriol, 163. - 

— stone, 163.. 

— cohosh, 539. 

Bodily heat, drugs acting on, 

64.] 
Boluses, 20. 
I [Boneset, 408. 
j Boracic acid, 240.] 
1 Borax, 240. 
[Boric acid, 240. 
Borneo camphor, 543. 
Boro-glycerin, glyc«nte of, 

240. 
Boro-glyceride, [solution of,] 

240.] 
Bougies, 31. 

Brain, drugs acting on, 96. 
[ — extract, 624.] 
Brandy, 244. 
[Brayera, 525. 
Brazilian coca, 326.] 
Bromides, 222. 
Bromine, 221. 
[Bromoform, 615. 
Bromum, 221.] 
[Bronchial secretion, drugs at 
fecting the, 69. 

— vessels, drugs acting on, 71. 

— spasm, 70.] 
Broom, 532. 



INDEX. 



649 



[Brown mixture, 521. 

Brucine, 327. 

Bryonia, 423. 

Bryonin, 423.] 

Buchu, 480. 
[Bucco, 480. 

Buckthorn, 416. 

Burdock, 569.] 

Burgundy pitch, 441. 

[plaster, 442. 

Burnt alum, 150.] 

Burnett's fluid, 160. 
[Butternut, 413. 

Butter of cacao, 561.] 

Butyl-chloral hydras, 594. 

Byne, 629. 

pACAO butter, 561, 
[Cactus, 615. 

Cactine, 616.] 

Cachets, 31. 
[Cade, oil of, 441. 

Caffeina, 323.] 

— citrata, 324. 

[ effervescens, 324.] 

Caffeine, 32 \. 

Cajuput, oil of, 446. 
[Cajuputol, 446.] 

Calabar bean, 333. 
[Calabarine, 333.] 

Calamine, 491. 
[Calamus, 490. 

Calcined magnesia, 147.] 

Calcium, 139. 

— bromide, 223. 

— beta-naphtol alpha-mono 

sulphonate, 614. 

— carbonate precipitated, 

140. 

— chloride, 143.] 

— hypophosphite, 211. 

— [lacto-phosphate, syrup of, 

142. 

— phosphate precipitated, 

142. 

— sulphate, dried, 143. 

— sulphide, crude, 143. 
Calendula, 571. 
Calendulin, 572. 
Calloxylin, 560.] 
Calomel, 189, 
Calumba, 489. 

[Calumbin, 489.] 

55 



Calx, 141. 

— chlorata, 214. 

— sulphurata, 143. 
Cambogia, 428. 
Camphor, 542. 

L — Barus, 543. 

— Borneo, 543. 

— monobromata, 544. 

— Sumatra, 543. 
Canadine, 403.] 
Canada balsam, 443. 

[ — turpentine, 443. 

Canadian hemp, 533. 
- moonseed, 568. 

Cane, sugar, 555.] 

Canella, 594. 

Cannabis indica, 322. 

Cantharides, 586. 
[Cantharidin, 586. 

Cantharis, 586. 

Caoutchouc, 561. 

Capsaicin, 4=59. 

Capsicin, 459. 

Capsicum, 459.] 

Capsules, 32. 

Caraway, 468. 

— oil of, 469. 
[Carbo, 242. 

— animalis, 242. ( 

— ligni, 242. 

— purificatus, 242.] 
Carbolic acid, 275. 
Carbon, 242. 

[ — disulphide, 562. 
Carbonei bisulphidum, 562. 

— disulphidum, 562.] 
Cardamom, 461. 

[Cardiac mechanism, drugs 
acting on, 49.] 

Carlsbad water, 129. 
[Carminic acid, 586.] 

Carminative tincture, 462. 

Carminatives, 79. 
[Carragheen, 513.] 

Carron oil, 523. 

Carum, 468. 
[Carvol, 465, 469. 

Carvene, 469.] 

Caryophyllus, 452. 

Cascara sagrada, 416. 

Cascarilla, 493. 
[Cascarillin, 493. 

Cassia fistula, 406. 



Cinnamon, oil of, 458. 

Castanea, 381. 

Castile soap, white, 511.] 

Castor oil, 409. 

[seeds, 409.] 

Cataplasmata, 32. 

Catechu, 504. 
[ — tannic acid, 504. J 

Cathartic acid, 407, 414. 
[—pills, compound, 189. 

vegetable, 426.J 

Cathartics, 84. 

[Cantharidal pitch plaster, 
442. 

Caulophyllum, 539.] 

Caustics, 54. 
[Caustic potash, 113. 

— soda, 124. 

— lunar, 156. 

— mitigated, 156. 
Cayenne pepper, 459. 
Celendine, 571.] 
Cera alba, 585. 

— flava, 585. 
Cerasin, 15. 
Cerata, 19. 

[Cerates, 19.] 
Cerebral depressants, 97. 

— stimulants, 97. 
[Cereus grandiflorus, 615.] 

Cerevisiae fermentum, 609. 

Cerium, 149. 
[— oxalate, 149. 

Cerous oxalate, 149.] 

Cetaceum, 581. 

Cetraria, 523. 
[Cetraric acid, 523. 

Ceylon cinnamon, 458-] 

Chalk, [drop, 139. 

— mixture, 140. 

— powder, compound, 140. 

— prepared, 139. 

— troches of, 140. 
Chalybeate pills, 168.] 
Chamomile, 495. 

[ — German, 495.] 

— oil of, 602. 
Charcoal, [animal, 242. 

— wood, 242.] 
Charta, 20. 

[ — potassii nitratis, 120. 
Chelidonine, 571. 
Chelidonium, 571. 



650 



INDEX. 



Chelerythrine, 373, 571.] 

Chemical constitution, 42. 
[Chenopodium, 529] 

Cherry laurel, 600. 
[— wild, 549. 

Chestnut, 381. 

Chimaphila, 574. 

Chinese cinnamon, 458, 

Chinoidine, 385.] 

Chirata, 493. 
[Chiratin, 493. 

Chittem bark, 416. 

Chloral, 268. 

— formamide, 617.] 

— hydrate, 268. 
Chloralamide, 617. 

[Chloralum formamidatum, 

617. 
Chloralose, 616.] 
Chloric ether, 254. 
Chlorinated lime, 214. 

— soda, 214. 

[ , solution of, 214.] 

Chlorine, 214. 
[ — water, 214 ] 
Chlorodyne, 604. 
Chloroform, 253. 
[Chlorum, 214.] 
Cholagogues, 88. 
[Chondrus, 513. 
Chromic acid, 208 

— anhydride, 208. 

— trioxide, 208.] 
Chromium, 208. 

[Chrysophan, 411, 553. ] 

Chrysarobin, 411, 552. 

Churrus, 322. 

Cigarettes, 32. 

Ciliary muscle, drugs acting 
on, 103. 

Cimicifuga, 496. 

Cinchona, 384. 
[ — rubra, 386. 

Cinchotannic acid, 385.] 

Cinchonidine, 385. 
[— sulphate, 389.] 

Cinchonine, 388. 
[ — sulphate, 389.] 

Cinchonism, 393. 
[Cinnabar, 187. 

Cineol, 527.] 

Cinnamon, 457. 
[ — cassia, 458. 



Cinnamon, ceylon, 458. 

— Chinese, 458. 

— saigon, 457. 
Cinnamic aldehyde, 459.] 
Citrine ointment, 190-. 

[Citrated caffeine, 324. 
Citric acid, 233. 
Clarified honey, 585. 
Clarendon, 140.] 
Cloves, 452. 
Clysters, 32. 
Coca, 343. 

Cocoa, [Brazilian, 326. 
Cocaine, 344.] 

— hydrochlorate, 344, 
[Cocillana, 618.] 

Coccus, 586. 
[Coccogin, 451.] 

Cochineal, 586. 

Codeine, 304. 

Cod liver oil, 582. 

Coffee, 323. 
[Cohosh, blue, 539. 

Colchiceine, 540. 

Colchicine, 540.] 
. Colchicum, 540. 
[Cold cream, 555.] 

— pack, 109. 

[ — baths, 109.] 

Collodia, 20. 
[Collodions, 20.] 

Collodium, 560. 

Collunaria, 32. 

Collyria, 32. 

Colocynth, 426. 
[Colocynthin, 426. 

Colophony, 442. 

Columbo, 489. 

Common salt, 130.] 

Condal, 129. 

Condy's fluid, 186. 

Confectiones, 20. 
[Conine, 339. J 

Conium, 338. 

Constituens, 36. 
[Contrexeville, 140 ] 

Convallaria, 360. 
[Convallarin, 360. 

Convallamarin, 360.] 

Copaiba, 481. 

Copper, 163. 
[ — sulphate, 163. 

Copperas, 167.] 



1 Coriander, 467. 
[Coriandrol, 467. 

Coriandrum, 467. 

Corn-silk, 534. 

Cornutine, 536. | 

Corrigens, 36. 

Corrosive sublimate, 188. 

Coster's paste, 217. 
[Coto, 618. 

Cotoin, 619.] 

Cotton, 559. 
[ — absorbent, 559. 

— purified, 559. 

— soluble gun, 560. 

— seed oil, 560. 

— root bark, 538. 
Couch grass, 534. 
Court plaster, 577.] 
Counter irritant, 54. 

[Cramp bark, 573. 

Cranesbill, 509.] 

Cream of tartar, 119. 

Creosote, 280. 

Creolin, 619. 
[Creolinum, 619.] 

Creta [prseparata, 139.] 

Crocus, 558. 
[Croton chloral hydrate, 594] 

— oil, 424. 

[— — seeds, 424.] 
Cubeba, 484. 
[Cubeb, 484. 

— camphor, 485. 
Cubebin, 484.] 
Cuca, 343. 

[Culver's root, 431.] 

Cumulative action, 36. 
[Cupreine, 385. 

Cupric sulphate, 163.] 

Cuprum, 163. 

Curare, 620. 

Curd soap, 607, 

Cusparia, 594. 
[Cusparin, 595.] 

Cusso, 525. 
[Cymene, 484. 

Cypripedium, 472. 

"Q AMI ANA, 620.] 

Dandelion, 497. 
Daturine, 318. 
[Deadly nightshade, 307. 
Daphnin, 451.] 



INDEX. 



651 



Decocta, 20. 
[Decoctions, 20. 

Definitions, 9.] 

Deliriants, 290. 

Delphinine, 530. 
[Delphinoidine, 530. 

Delphisine, 530. 

Deodorized alcohol, 244. 

— opium, 293. 

Dermatol, 615 ] 

Demulcents, 57. 

Deodorants, 44. 
[Depressants, cerebral, 97.] 

Diachylon ointment, 152. 
[ — plaster, 152.] 

Dialysed iron, 625. 

Dialysis, 15. 

Diaphoretics, 57. 
[Dimethyl- sulphon-dimethyl- 
methane, 608. 

Dichloromethane, 630. 

Digallic acid, 501. J 

Digestive apparatus, drugs 

acting on, 72. 
[Digitalein, 350.] 

Digitalin, 350. 

Digitalis, 350. 
[Digitonin, 350. 

Digitoxin, 350.] 

Dill, 591. 

[ Di-isobutyl-orthocresol- 
iodide, 621. 

Dimethyl-ethyl-carbinol, 613. 

Diethylenediamine, 633. J 

Direct action, 41. 

Disinfectants, 42. 
[Dispermine, 633. 

Dispensing the prescription, 

Displacement, 15.] 

Dissolution, law of, 96. 
[Distilled water, 108. 

Di-thymol-di-iodide, 613. J 

Diuretics, 60. 

Diuretin, 636. 
[Dock, yellow, 510. 

Dog button, 327.] 

Domestic measures, 18. 

Donovan's solution, 189, 

Doses, 34. 

Dover's powder, 292. 

Drastics, 84. 
[Draught, 32.] 



Drops, 32. 

Drugs, administration of, 33. 

Duboisinae sulphas, 621. 
[Dulcamara, 572. 

Dulcamarin, 573.] 

Dusart's syrup, 184. 
[Dutch liquid, 612.] 

E7 ARS, drugs acting on, 104. 
Easton's syrup, 184. 

Ecbolics, 105. 
[Ecboline, 536. 

Ecgonine, 344. 

Effervescing powder, com- 
pound, 128. J 

Egg albumen, 590. 
[-yolk of, 582.] 

Elaeoptens, 14. 
[Elastica, 561.] 

Elaterinum, 427. 

Elaterin, 427. 

Elder, 469. 
[Elecampane, 382.] 

Electuaries, 20. 

Elemi, 595. 

Elixirs, 20. 

[Elixir proprietatis Paracelsi, 
419. 

Elm, 520. 

— slippery, 520.] 

Elutriation. 15. 

Emetics, 79. 

Emetine, 374. 

Emmenagogues, 105. 
[Emodin, 411, 416.] 

Emollients, 57. 

Empirical therapeutics, 9. 

Emplastra, 21. 

Emulsa, 21. 

Emulsions, 21. 

Enemata, 32, 86. 

Epsom salts, 146. 

Ergot, 535. 
[Ergotic acid, 536, 

Ergotin, 536. 

Ergotine, 535. 

Ergotinine, 536. 

Ericolin, 384, 532, 574. 

Erigeron, oil of, 439. 

Eriodictyon, 383. 

Erythroretin, 411.] 

Erythrophloeum, 621. 
[ Erythroxylon, 343.] 



Escharotics, 54. 
Eserine, 333. 
[ — salicylate, 333. 

— sulphate, 333. 
Essences, 32.] 
Essentiae, 32. 
Essential oils, 13. 

[Ethylated chloral urethane, 

635.] 
Ether, 260. 
[— acetic, 263. 

— bromatus, 611. 

— nitrous, spirit of, 263. 

— spirit of, compound, 260. 

— sulphuric, 260. 
Ethyl bromide, 611. 

— alcohol, 243. 

— carbamate, 637. 

— oxide, 260. 

— urethane, 637. 
Ethylenimine, 633. 
Ethene chloride, 612. 
Etherial oil, 260. 
Ethylene bichloride, 612. 
Eucalyptol, 447. 
Eucalyptus,] 447. 

— gum, 596. 
[Eugenic acid, 453, 

Eugenin, 452. 

Eugenol, 457. 

Euonymus, 432.] 

Euonymin, 432. 
[Eupatorium, 408. 

Europhen, 621.] 

Exalgin, 622. 
[Exalginum, 622.] 

Expectorants, 71. 
[Experimental therapeutics, 
9- 

Expressed oil of nutmeg, 
^ 603.] 

Extracta, 21. 
[ — fluida, 23. 

— organica, 623. 
Extract of meat, 622. 
Extractum carnis, 622.] 
Eye, drugs acting on, 102, 

j-pABIANA, 624. 
L Fabianine, 624. J 

Farina tritici, 596. 

Fats, definition of, 13. 

Fel bovis, 578. 



65 



INDEX. 



I Fel bovis purificatum, 578. 

— tauri, 578.] 
Fennel, 468. 

[Fern, male, 524. 
Ferri arsenias, 596. 
Ferric carbonate, sacchara- 
ted, 168. 

— chloride, 170. 

— citrate, 174. 

— hypophosphite, 212. 

— iodide, saccharated. 169. 

— oxide, hydrated, 172. 

— oxide, hydrated and mag- 

nesium, 172. 

— phosphate, soluble, 173. 

— pyrophosphate, soluble, 

175- 

— valerianate, 471. 
Ferruginous pills, 168.] 
Ferrum, 167. 

[ — dialysatum, 625. 

— reductum, 167. 
Ferrous iodide, pills of, 169. 
syrup of, 169. 

saccharated, 169. 

— sulphate, 167. 

dried, 168. 

granulated, 168. 

— lactate, 169. 

— carbonate pills of, 168. 

saccharated, 168. 

mass of, 169. 

Ficus, 405.] 

Fig, 405- 

Filix mas, 524. 
[Filicic acid, 524.] 

Fir-wood oil, 603. 
[ — balsam, 443.] 

Fixed oils, 13. 
[Flag, sweet, 490. 

Flaxseed, 522. 

— oil of, 522. 
Fleabane, oil of, 439. 
Fleming's tincture, 364. 
Flexible collodion, 560. 
Flies, Spanish, 586. J 
Flour, 596. 

[Flowers of sulphur, 227.] 

Foeniculum, 468. 

Fomenta, 32. 
[Fomentations, 32. 

Foxglove, 350.] 

Fowler's solution, 199. 



1 Frangula, 416. 
[Frangulin, 416.] 

Frankincense, 609. 

Franz Joseph, 85. 

Friedrichshall, 85, 
[Friar's balsam, 550. 

Fusel oil, 590.] 

TQADUIN, 582,] 

L Galactagogues, 106. 

Galbanum, 597. 
[Galipeine, 595 ] 

Gall, 578 
[Galla, 500. 

Gallic acid, 503. 

Gallotanic acid, 501. J 

Gamboge, 428. 
[Gambogic acid, 428. 

Ganga, 322.] 

Gargarismata, 32. 
[Gargles, 32. 

Garlic, 378.] 

Gastric antiseptics, 76. 

— juice, action of drugs on, 

75- 

— sedatives, 78. 
Gastro-intestinal irritants, 77. 

[Gaultheria, 401. 

— oil of, 401.] 
Gelatin, 597. 

[Gelatinum, 597.] 

Gelsemium, 336. 
[Gelsemine, 337. 

Gelseminine, 337.] 

General therapeutics, 9. 

Generation, action of drugs 
on, 104. 

Gentian, 491. 
[Gentiopicrin, 491. 

Geraniol, 497. 

Geranium, 509. 

German chamomile, 495.] 

Ginger, 460. 
[Gingerol, 460. 

Glacial acetic acid, 233. 

Glauber's salt, 128.] 

Glonoin, 267. 
[ — spirit of, 267.] 

Glucosides, 12. 
[Glucosimide, 606. 

Gluside, 606.] 

Glusidum, 606. 
[Glycerita, 24 



' Glycerites, 24.] 
Glycerin, 513. 
[ — suppositories, 513] 

— constitution of, 13. 
[Glyceryl borate, glycerite 

of, 240. 

— trinitrate, 267.] 
Glycogenic function, 89. 

[Glyconin, 267.] 
Glycyrrhiza, 520. 
[Glycyrrhizin, 520. 

— ammoniated, 521. 
Glycosuria, 90.] 
Goa powder, 552. 
Gold, 186. 

[ — and sodium chloride, 186. 
Golden seal, 403.] 
Gossypium [purificatum, 559. 

— radicis cortex, 538. 
Goulard's cerates, 153.] 
Granatum, 525. 

[Granulated ferrous sulphate, 

168. 
Gray powder, 187.] 
Gregory's powder, 411. 

[Green mercurous iodide, 190. 

— soap, 512.] 
Griffith's mixture, 168. 
Grindelia, 3S0. 
Guaiac, 565. 
Guaiacol, 625. 

[ — benzoate 62 5. 

— carbonate, 625. 

— salicylate, 626. 
Guaiacum, 564 ] 

— resin, 565. 
[Guaranine, 326.] 

Guarana, 326. 
Gum [arabic, 519.] 

— resins, 15. 
Gums, 15. 

Gun cotton, [soluble, 560.] 
Gunjah, 322. 
Guttae, 32. 
Gutta-percha, 598. 
[Gypsum, dried, 143.J 

|_JiEMATINICS, 47. 
[ — indirect, 47. J 
Haematoxylon, 507. 
Haemostatics, 56. 
Hamamelis, 508. 
Hard soap, 511. 



INDEX. 



653 



[Hard petroleum, 289. J 

Haschisch, 322. 

Haustus, 32. 

Heart, drugs acting on, 50. 
[Heavy magnesia, 147. 

Hedeoma, 469. 

Helenin, 382. 

Hellebore, American, 366.] 

Hemidesmus, 598. 

Hemlock, 338. 
[Hemp, Indian, 322. 

— Canadian, 533.] 
Henbane, 319 

[Hepatic stimulants, 88 

Hesperidene, 497, 548.] 

Hips, 606. 
[Hirudo, 598. 

Hive syrup, 205.] 

Hoffman's anodyne, 260. 

Hornatropine, [hydrobro- 

mate, 599.] 
[Homochelidonine, 373. 

Homoquinine, 385. 

Homolle's digitalin, 350.] 

Honey, 584. 
[Honeys, 26.] 

Hops, 305. 

Hordeum, decorticatum, 600 
[Horehound, 535.] 

Horseradish, 593. 

Hot pack, no. 
[Huile de Cade, 441.] 

Humulus, 305. 

Hunyadi Janos, 85. 

Hydragogues, 85. 
[Hydrargyri chloridum corro- 
sivum, 188. 

— chloridum mite, 189. 

— cyanidum, 191. 

— iodidum flavum, 190. 

— iodidum rubrum, 189. 

— oxidum flavum, 188. 

— oxidum rubrum, 188. 

— subsulphas flavus, 191.] 
Hydrargyrum, 187. 

[ — ammoniatum, 190. 

— cum creta, 187. 
Hydrastine, 403. 
Hydrastininse hydrochloras, 

4C3-] 
Hydrastis, 403. 
[Hydrated alumina, 150. 
Hydriodic acid, syrup of, 218 



Hydrobromic acid, diluted 
226. 

— ether, 611. 
Hydrochloric acid, 232. 
Hydrous wool fat, 576.] 
Hydrocyanic acid, 285. 

[Hydrogen dioxide, 112. 

— peroxide solution, 112. 
Hydroquebrachine, 383. 
Hygrine, 344.] 
Hyoscine [hydrobroma e, 

3^0.] 
Hyoscyamine, 319. 
[ — hydrobromate, 319. 

— sulphate, 320.] 
Hyoscyamus, 319. 
Hypnotics, 97, 272. 
Hypodermatic injections, 32. 
Hypophosphites, 211. 

[ — syrup of, 212. 
Hypophosphorous acid, di 
luted, 212.] 

TCE-BAGS, no. 
Ice poultices, no. 

Iceland moss, 523. 
[Ichthyocolla, 577.] 

Ichthyol, 626. 
[Igasuric acid, 327. 

Illicium, 466.] 

Incompatibility, chemical, 37 

— pharmacological, 39. 

— physical, 38. 
[Index, 646. 

India rubber, 561. 

— senna, 414. 
Indian hemp, 322. 

— cannabis, 322. 

— sarsaparilla, 598.] 
Indirect action, 41. 

[Ineine, 358.] 
Infusa, 24. 
Inhalations, 32, 67. 
Injectiones, 32. 
Insufflationes, 32. 
Intestinal [antiseptics, 86.] 

— astringents, 86. 
Intestines, drugs acting on, 82 
Intraocular tension, 103. 

[Inula, 382.] 

Iodides, 217. 

Iodine, 215. 
[ — compound solution of, 216 



Iodine, tincture of, 216. 

— ointment, 216. 
Iodum, 215.] 
Iodoform, 281. 

[iodol, 627. 

Iodolum, 627. 

Ipecac, 374.] 

Ipecacuanha, 374. 

Iridin, 627. 
[Iris, 431. 

Irisin, 627. 

Irish moss, 513.] 

Iron, 167. 

[ — and ammonium acetate, 
solution of, 170. 

— and ammonium citrate, 173 

— and ammonium tartrate, 

174- 

— and potassium tartrate, 173 

— and quinine citrate, 174. 

— and strychnine citrate, 174 

— arsenate, 596. 

— by hydrogen, 167. 

— mixture, compound, 168. 

— plaster, 172. 

— quinine, strychnine phos- 

phates, syrup of, 173. 

— reduced, 167. 

— troches of, 172.] 
Irritants, 54. 

[ — gastro-intestinal, 77. 
Isinglass, 577. 
Isolichenin, 523. 
Ivy, poison, 553.] 

TABORANDI, 346. 
I J [Jaborine, 346.] 

Jalap, 422. 
[Jalapin, 423. 

Jalapurgin. 422. 

Jamaica dogwood, 633.] 

James' powder, 204. 
[Jarish's ointment, 504.] 

Jasmine, yellow, 336. 

Jervine, 367. 
[Jordan almond, 517. 

Juglans, 413.] 

Juices, 33. 

J^AMALA, 526. 

[Kermes mineral, 204. 
Kinic acid, 385.] 
; Kino, 506. 



654 



INDEX. 



[Kinoin, 506. 

Kinovic acid, 385. 

Kinovin, 385. 

Kino-tannic acid, 506.] 

Kissingen, 85. 

Kola nut, 324. 

Kombe poison, 359. 
[Kosin, 526.] 

Kousso, 525. 
[Koussin, 526.] 

Krameria, 505. 
[Kramero- tannic acid, 505.] 

TABARRAQUE'S solu- 
tion, 214. 

Lac, 627. 
[ — sulphur, 227. 

Lactic acid, 234.] 

Lactuca[rium, 307.] 
[Ladies' slipper, 472.] 

Lamellae, 32. 

Lanolin, 576. 

Lapis divinus, 164. 

Lappa, 569.] 

Larch, 606. 

Lard, 581. 
[—oil, 581. 

Larixin, 606.] 

Latin phrases, 644. 

Laudanum, 292. 
[Laurocerasus, 600. 

Lavender, oil of, 463. 

Law of dissolution, 96.] 

Laxatives, 83. 

Lead, 152. 
[ — acetate, 152. 

— carbonate, 152. 
ointment, 153. 

— iodide, 153. 
ointment, 154. 

— nitrate, 153. 

— oxide, 152. 

— plaster, 152. 

— poisoning, 155. 

— subacetate, cerate of, 

153- 

solution of, 153. 

— sugar of, 152. 

— white, 153.] 
Leech, 598 
Leiter's coils, no. 
Lemon, 547. 

r— peel, 547. 



Leontin, 539. 

Leptandra, 431. 

Leptandrin, 431. 

Levant wormseed, 527.] 

Levigation, 15. 
[Lichenin, 523. 

Lichen-stearic acid, 523. 

Light magnesia, 147.] 

Lignum vitae, 564. 

Lime, 141. 
[ — solution of, 141. 

— liniment of, 141. 

— syrup of, 141. 

— phosphate, precipitated, 

142. 

— sulphurated, 143. 

— chlorinated, 214.] 
Limonis [cortex, 547. 

— succus, 548 ] 
Linctus, 33. 

[ — opiatus, 301. 

Linimenta, 25.] 

Linum, 522. 

Linseed, 522. 
[Liquid petroleum, 288.] 

Liqueurs, 245. 

Liquor carbonis detergens, 

441. 
[ — picis carbonis, 441. 

Liquor potassse, 113. 

— sodse, 124.] 
Liquores, 25. 
Liquorice [root, 520. 

— powder, compound, 415. 
Litharge, 152.] 
Lithontriptics, 62. 
Lithium, 138. 

[ — bromide, 222. 

— carbonate, 138. 

— citrate, 138. 

— citrate, effervescent, 138. 

— salicylate, 397.] 
Liver, drugs acting on, 88. 

[Liver of sulphur, 229.] 

Lixiviation, 16. 

Lobelia, 378. 
[Lobeline, 378. 

Lobelacrin, 378.] 

Local action, 41. 
[ — anodynes, 93. 

— anaesthetics, 93.] 
Logwood, 507. 

[Loganin, 327.] 



Lotiones, 33. 
[Lugol's solution, 216. 

Lunar caustic, 156. 

Lupulin, 306.] 

Lupulinum, 306. 

Lycopodium, 563. 

Lye, 16. 
[Lysol, 628. 

Lysolum, 628. 

MACE, 457- 

Maceine, 457.] 
Maceration, 16. 
[Macis, 457. 
Magnesia, 147. 

— calcined, 147. 

— heavy, 147. 

— light, 147. 

— ponderosa, 147.] 
Magnesium 146. 

[ — carbonate, 146. 

— citrate, effervescent, 146. 
solution of, 147. 

— sulphate, 146.] 
Male fern, 524. 
Malt, 629. 

[Maltose, 629. 

Maltum, 629. 

Mancona bark, 621.] 

Manganese, 184. 
[ — black oxide, 184. 

— dioxide, 184. 

— sulphate, 184. 
Manganum, 184. 
Manganous sulphate, 184. 
Manila elemi, 595.] 
Manna, 407. 
Marienbad, 85. 

[Marigold, 571. 

Marrubiin, 535. 

Marrubium, 535. 

Marshmallow, 515. 

Mass, Vallet's, 169.] 

Massae, 25. 
[Masses, 25. 

Mastic, 561. J 

Mastiche, 561. 
[Mastichic acid, 561.] 

Mate, 324. 

Materia medica, 9. 

Matico, 486. 
[Matricaria, 495. 

May-apple, 428.] 



INDEX. 



655 



Measures, 17. 

— domestic, 18. 
[Meconoisin, 291. 

Meconic acid, 291, 589 ] 

Mel, 584. 
[— despumatum, 585.] 

Mella, 26. 
[Melissa, 556. 

Menispermum, 568. 

Menispine, 568. 

Mentha piperita, 464. 

— viridis, 465.] 
[Menthene, 464, 465.] 

Menthol, 546. 
[Mercurial ointment, 187. 

— plaster, 187. 
Mercuric ammonium chlo- 
ride, 190. 

— chloride, corrosive, 188. 

— cyanide, 191. 

— iodide, red, 189. 

— nitrate, ointment of, 190. 
solution of, 190. 

— oxide, red, 188. 

ointment of, 188. 

yellow, 188. 

ointment of, 188. 

— subsulphate, yellow, 191. 

— sulphate, basic, 791. 
Mercurous chloride, mild, 

189. 

— iodide, yellow, 190.] 
Mercury, 187. 

— administration of, 196. 
[ — ammoniated,i9o. 

ointment, 190. 

— bichloride,i88. 

— biniodide, 189. 

— chloride, corrosive, 188. 
mild, 189. 

— iodide, green, 190. 

red, 189. 

yellow, 190. 

— mass of, 187. 

— oleate of, 188. 

— protiodide, 190. 

— with chalk, 187. 

— subchloride, 189.] 
Metabolism, drugs acting 

pn, 106. 
[Metadioxybenzol, 284. 
Methyl acetanilide, 622, 
Methyl, alcohol, 284. 



' — conine, 339. 

— pyrocatechin, 625. 

— salicylate, 401. 
Methylene blue, 6^9. 

— dichloride, 630.] 
Metrical system, 17. 

[Mezereum, 451.] 
Mezereon, 451. 
Milk, 627. 

— artificial human, 627. 

— drugs acting on, 106. 

— drugs excreted by, 106. 
[ — of asafetida, 473. 

— of sulphur, ^27.] 

— peptonized, 628. 
[— sugar of, 577.] 

Mindererus, spirit of, 137. 

Misturae, 26. 
[Mixtures, 26. 

Mitigated caustic, 156.] 

Mollinum, 33. 
[Monobromated camphor, 
544- 

Monobromo-ethane, 611.] 

Monsel's solution, 171. 
[Moonseed, Canadian, 568.] 

Morphine, 294. 

— acetate, 294. 

— hydrochlorate, 294. 

— sulphate, 294. 
Mori succus, 601. 
Moschus, 575. 

[Moss, Iceland, 523. 

— Irish, 513.] 

Motor nerves, drugs acting 

on, 91. 
[Moulded silver nitrate, 157. 

Mucilages, 26.] 

Mucilagines, 26. 
[Mulberry juice, 601. 

Muscarine, 631. 

Muriatic acid, 232.] 

Muscles, drugs acting on, 91 

Musk, 575. 
[ — root, 462.] 

Mustard, 443. 
[— white, 443. 

— black, 444. 
Mutton suet, 576.] 
Mydriatics, 103. 
Myotics, 103. 

[Myrcia, oil of, 558.] 
Myristica, 456. 



[Myrosin, 443, 444.] 

Myrrh, 475. 
[Myrrha, 475. 

Myrrhin, 475. 

Myrrhol, 475.] 

TTSJAPHTALENE, 283. 
L Naphtalin, 283.] 

Naphtol, 284. 
[Narceine, 291, 631. 

Narcotine, 291.] 

Narcotics, 98. 
[Nativelle's digitalin, 351.] 

Natural orders, 639. 

Nebula;, 33. 

Nectandra, 601. 
[Neroli, oil of, 499.] 

Nerves, drugs acting on, 91. 

Neuritis, drugs causing, 94. 

Neutral principles, 12. 

Nicotine, 341. 
[Night blooming cereus, 615. 

Nightshade, deadly, 307. 

Nitric acid, 232.] 

Nitrites, 263. 
[Nitre, 120. 

— sweet spirit of, 263.] 
Nitroglycerin, 267. 

[Nitrohydrochloric acid, 232. 
Nitromuriatic acid, 232. 
Nitrous ether, spirit of, 263. 
Norwood's tincture, 367. 
Nucin, 413. 
Nutgall, 500.] 
Nutmeg, 456. 
Nux vomica, 327. 

[AAK, white, 500. 
L CEsypum, 576. 

Oil of allspice, 455. 

— almond, expressed. 517. 

— American wormseed, 529. j 

— anise, 466. 
[- bay, 558. 

— benne, 558. 

— bergamot, 463. 

— betula, volatile, 400. 

— bitter almond, 516.] 

— cade, 441. 

[ — cajuput, 446. 

— caraway, 469. 

— carron, 523. 



656 



INDFX 



Oil of cassia, 458. 

— castor, 409. 

— chamomile, 602. 

— chenopodium, 529. 

— cinnamon, 458. 

— cloves, 453. 

— cod liver, 582.] 

— copaiba, 481. 

— coriander, 467. 

[ — cotton seed, 560. 

— croton, 424.] 

— cubeb, 484. 

— dill, 591. 

f— erigeron, 439. 

— ethereal, 260. 

— eucalyptus, 447. 

— fennel, 468. 

— firwood, 603. 

— flaxseed, 522. 

— fleabane, 439. 

— fusel, 591. 

— gaultheria, 401. 
artificial, 401. 

— hedeoma, 470 ] 

— juniper, 479. 
[— lard, 581.] 

— lavender, 463. 

[ flowers, 602.] 

— lemon, 548. 
[— linseed, 522. 

— mustard, volatile, 444. 

— myrcia, 558. 

— neroli, 499. 

— nutmeg, 456. 
expressed, 603. 

— olive, 511, 603. 

— orange flowers, 499. 
peel, 498. 

— pennyroyal, 470.] 

— peppermint, 464. 

[ Chinese, 464, 546. 

Japanese, 546. 

— phosphorated, 209. 

— pimenta, 455. 

— rose, 555 ] 

— rue, 604. 

— rosemary, 449. 

— sandal wood, 486. 
[ — santal, 486. 

— sassafras, 571.] 

— savin[e, 487.] 
[— sesame, 558. 

— sesamum, 558.] 



Oil of spearmint, 465. 
[ — sweet birch, 400. 

— tar, 440. 

— teel, 558.] 

— theobroma, 561. 
[ — thyme, 483.] 

— turpentine, 434. 

[ rectified, 435. 

— wintergreen, 401. 

artificial, 401. 

— - — synthetic, 401. 
Oils, essential, 13. J 

— fixed, 13. 

[— nitrogenated, 14. 

— oxygenated, 14. 

— sulphurated, 14.] 

— volatile, 13. 
Ointments, 31. 
Olea, 26. 
Oleata, 26. 

[Oleate of zinc, 161. 

— mercury, 188. 

— veratrine, 369 ] 
Oleic acid, 515. 

[Olein, 511, 582.] 
Oleo-resins, 14. 
Oleum [adipis, 581. 

— sethereum, 260.] 

— amygdalae [amarae, 

516. 
expressum, 517.] 

— anethi, 501. 

— anisi, 466. 

— anthemidis, 602. 

[ — aurantii corticis, 498. 
florum, 499. 

— bergamii, 463. 

— bergamottae, 463. 

— betulae volatile, 400. J 

— cadinum, 441. 

— cajuputi, 446. 

— cari, 469. 

— caryophylli, 453. 
[ — chenopodii, 529.] 

— cinnamomi, 458. 

— copaibae, 481. 

— coriandri, 467. 

— cubebae, 484. 

[ — erigerontis, 439.] 

— eucalypti, 447. 
[ — fceniculi, 468. 

— gaultheriae, 401. 

— gossypii seminis, 560. 



I Oleum hedeomae, 470. 

— jecoris aselli, 582.] 

— juniperi, 479. 

[ empyreumaticum, 441 ] 

— lavendulae, 602. 

— [ — florum, 463.] 

— limonis, 548. 

— lini, 522. 

— menthae piperita?, 464. 
viridis, 465. 

— morrhuae, 582. 
[ — myrciae, 558.] 

— myristicae, 4<=6. 

[ expressum, 603.] 

— olivae, 511. 

I — phosphoratum, 209. 

— picis liquidae, 440.] 

— pimentae, 455. 

— pini sylvestris, 603. 

— ricini, 409. 
[— rosae, 555.] 

— rosmar'ini, 449. 

— rutae, 604. 

— sabinae, 48-*. 

— santali, 486. 

[ — sassafras, 571. 

— sesami, 558.] 

— sinapis [volatile, 444. J 

— terebinthinae, 434. 

[ rectificatum, 435.] 

— theobromatis, 561. 
[ — thymi, 483. 

— tiglii, 424. 
Olive oil, 511.] 
Opium, 290, 604, 631. 

[Opodeldoc, 511.] 

Orange peel, 497. 
[Ordeal bark, 621. 

'Organic extracts, 623. 

Organs of generation, drugs 
acting on, 104.] 

Ouabain, 632. 

Ovi albumen, 590. 

Oxgall, 578. 

Oxymella, 33. 

Oxytocics, 105 

DACK, cold, 109. 
— hot, 109. 
[Pale rose, 555. 
Palmitin, 511, 582. 
Pancreatin, 580. 
Pancreatinum, 580.] 



INDEX. 



657 



Papaver, 605. 
[Papaverine, 291. 

Paper, mustard, 444. 

Papers, 20. 

Para-acetphenetidin, 605. 

Paracotoin, 619. 

Paramorphine, 631.] 

Paraguay tea, 324. 
[Paraldehyde, 271.] 

Paraldehydum, 271. 
[Para rubber, 561.] 

Parasiticides, 44. 

Paregoric, 293. 

Pareira, 567. 
[ — brava, 567. 

Parilla, yellow, 568.] 
[Panllin, 567.] 

Parish's food, 184. 

Paste, 33 

Pastillus, 33. 

Pearl barley, 600. 
[Pearson's solution, 199. 

Pellitory, 452. 

.Pelletierine, 525. 

Pelosine, 567. 

Pennyroyal, 469. 

Pental, 632. 

Pentalum, 632. 

Pepo, 527.] 
Pepper, 455. 
[ — black, 455. 

— cayenne, 459. 

— African, 459. 
Peppermint, 464.] 
Pepsin, 578. 

[Pep<inum, 578. 

• Pepsinum saccharatum, 

579] 
Percolation, 16. 
[Petrolatum, 288. 

— hard, 289. 

— liquid, 288. 

— liquidum, 288. 

— molle, 288. 

— soft, 288. 

— spissum, 289. 
Petroleum benzin, 562. 

— ointment, 288. 

soft, 288. 

hard, 289. 

— ether, 562.] 
Pharmaceutical processes, 

56 



Pharmacognosy, definition, 

10. 
Pharmacology, definition, 

10. 
Pharmacopoeia, definition, 

10. 
[ — preparations of the, 18. 
Pharmaco-dynamics, 10 ] 
Pharmacy, definition, 10. 
[Phseoretin, 411.] 
Phenacetin, 605. 
Phenazonum, 591. 
[Phenocoll hydrochloride, 

632. 
Phenocollum hydrochlori- 

dum, 632.] 
Phenol, 275. 
[Phenylacetamide, 272. 
Phenyl-dimethyl pyrazolone. 

591- 

J — alcohol, 275. 
! — salicylate, 402. 

Phosphoric acid, 232.] 
', Phosphorus, 209. 
[ — elixir of, 210. 

— pills of, 209. 

— spirit of, 210. 
Phosphorated oil, 209.] 
Physostigma. 333. 
Physostigmine [salicylate, 

333- 
I — sulphate, 333. 
Phytolacca, 407.] 
[Pichi,62 4 . 
Picroaconitine, 363. 
Picrocrocin, 559] 
Picrotoxin, 530. 
[Picrotoxinum, 530. 
Pills, 27. 
, — aloes and myrrh, 419. 

— antimony, compound, 

189. 

— asafetida, 473. 
; — Blaud's, 168. 

I — cathartic, compound, 189. 

— cathartic, vegetable, 426. 

— chalybeate, 168. 

— ferrous iodide, 169. 

— ferruginous, 168. 

! — saccharated iron carbon- 
ate, 168. 

— opium, 292. 

— phosphorus, 209. 



Pills, Plummer's, 189. 

— rhubarb, 411. 

— rhubarb, compound, 41 1 . ] 
Pilocarpine [hydrochlorate, 

347- 
Pilocarpidine, 347. 
Pilocarpus, 346.] 
Pilulse, 27. 
Piment[a, 454.] 
[Pink root, 529. 
Pinus larix, 606. 
Piscidia, 633. 
Piper, 455. 
Piperazine, 633. 
Piperazinum, 633. 
Piperazidine, 633. 
Piperin, 455. 
Pipsissewa, 574. 
Pitch, Burgundy, 441. 

— plaster, 442. 

cantharidal, 442.] 

Pix Burgundica, 441. 

— liquida, 439. 

Plasma, drugs acting on, 45. 

Plasters, 21. 
[Pleurisy root, 381.] 

Plumbum, 152. 
[Plumbi ace'as, 152. 

— carbonas, 153. 

— iodidum, 153. 

— nitras, 153] 
Plummer's pills, 189. 
Pneumogastric, drugs acting 

on, 52. 
Podophyllin, 429. 
[Podophyllum, 429. 
! Podophyllotoxin, 429. 
j Polychroit, 558. 
I Poison ivy, 553.] 
; — nut, 327. 

[Poke berry, 407. 
I — root, 407.] 

Pomegranate, 525 
I Poppy [petals, red, 605.] 
I Posology, 34. 
[Potassio-ferric tartrate, 173. 
Potassa, 113. 

— solution of, 113. 

— cum calce, 114. 

— with lime, 114.] 

— sulphurata, 229. 
Potassium, 113. 

[ — acetate, 117. 



658 



INDEX. 



Potassium, alum, 149. 

— and sodium tartrate, 128. 

— arsenite, solution of, 199. 

— bicarbonate, 116. 

— bichromate, 123. 

— bitartrate, 119. 

— bromide, 222. 

— carbonate, 115. 

— chlorate, 122. 
troches of, 122. 

— citrate, 117. 

— citrate, effervescent, 117. 
solution of, 117. 

— cyanide, 123. 

— ferrocyanide, 123, 

— hydrate, 113. 

— hydroxide, 113. 

— hypophosphite, 211. 

— iodide, 217. 

ointment of, 218. 

— nitrate, 120. 
paper, 121. 

— permanganate, 184, 

— sulphate, 119. 
Potash caustic, 113. 

— tartrate, acid, 119.] 
Powders, 28. 

[Poultices, 32. 
Precipitate, red, 188. 

— white, 190. 
Preface, 5.] 
Preparations, standardized, 

17- 
[ — pharmacopoeial, 18. 

Prepared chalk, 139.] 
Prescribing, 36. 

Prescription, 39. 
[Prickly ash, 566.] 

Primary action, 41. 
[Protopine, 291, 373, 571. 

Propenyl trinitrate, 267.] 

Prune, 405. 

[Prunus Virginiana, 549. 

Prussiate of Potash, yellow, 
I23-] 

Prussicacid, 285. 
[Pseudoaconitine, 363. 

— aconine, 363. 

— jervine, 367.] 
Pullna, 85. 

[Pulsatilla, 374. 
Pulvis purgans, 422. 

— aromaticus, 458.] 



Pulveres, 28. 
[Pumpkin seed, 527.] 

Pupil, drugs acting on, 458. 
[Punicotannic acid, 525.] 

Purgatives, 83, 405. 
[ — drastic, 84. 

— saline, 85. 
Purging cassia, 406. 
Purified cotton, 559.] 
Pustulants, 54. 
Pyrethrum, 452. 

[Pyridine, 342.] 

Pyrogallic acid, 504. 
[Pyoktanin, 630. 

Pyrogallol, 504.] 

Pyroxylin, 560. 
[Pyroxylinum, 560.] 

QUASSIA, 492. 
[Quassiin, 492. 
Quebracho, 382. 
Quebrachamine, 383. 
Queen's root, 569. 
Quevenne's digitalin, 350. 
Quercotannic acid, 500.] 
Quercus [alba, 500. 
Quicksilver, 187.] 
Quillaia, 564. 
[Quillaja, 564. 
Quinamine, 385. 
Quinidine, 385. 

— sulphate, 388. 
Quinic acid, 385.] 
Quinine, [386. 

— bisulphate, 387. 

— hydrobromate, 387. 

— hydrochlorate, 388. 

— sulphate, 387. 

— valerianate, 387. 
Quinovic acid, 385. 
Quinovin, 385.] 

D AISINS, 609. 

Rash, drugs producing 
a, 59- 
[Raspberry, 556.] 
Rational therapeutics, 9. 
[Rectified oil of turpentine, 

435-] 
Red corpuscles, drugs acting 

on, 47. 
[ — cinchona, 386.] 



Red gum, 596. 

— lotion, 162. 

— precipitate, x88. 

— [poppy petals, 605. 

— saunders, 559. 
Reduced iron, 167.] 
Refrigerants, 74. 
Remote action, 41. 

[Remijia bark, 385.] 
Resin, 442. 
[— of copaiba, 48a. 

— of jalap, 422. 

— of scammony, 421. 
Resina, 442. ] 
Resins, 14, 442. 
Resorcin, 284. 

[Resorcinol, 284 ] 

Respiration, drugs acting on, 
67. 

Respiratory centre, drugs 
acting on, 68. 

Rhamnus purshiana, 416. 

Rhatany, 505. 
[Rheotannic acid, 411. 

Rheum, 411. 

Rhein, 411, 553.] 

Rhceados petala, 605. 

Rhubarb, 411. 
[Ricinolein, 409. 

Rhus glabra, 508. 

— toxicodendron, 553. 
Richfield Springs, 229. 
Rochelle salt, 128. 
Rosa gallica, 554. 

— centifolia, 555.] 
Rosse caninae fructus, 606. 

[Rosemary, 449. 
Rose, 554. 

— Pale, 555- 

— red, 554.] 
Rosin, 442. 

[Rottlera, 526. 
Rottlerin, 526. 
Rubber, India, 561. 

— Para, 561.] 
Rubefacients, 54. 

[Rubinat, 85. 
Rubijervine, 367. 
Rubus, 509. 

— idseus, 556. 
Rusbyine, 618. 
Rumex, 510. 
Russian liquorice, 520.] 



INDEX. 



659 



CABINA/487. 

[Saccharated pepsin, 579] 
Saccharin, 606. 
Saccharum, 555. 

— lactis, 577. 
[Sacred bark, 416.] 

Saffron, 558. 
[Sage, 557. 

Saigon cinnamon, 457.] 
Sal alembroth, 612. 

— ammoniac, 136. 
[ — soda, 125.] 

— volatile, 135. 
Salicin, 396. 

[Salicylic acid, 396. 

— ether of phenyl, 402.] 
Saline purgatives, 85. 
Salivary glands, drugs acting 

on, 72. 
Salol, 402. 
[Salophen, 631.] 
Salt, [common, 130. 

— Epsom, 146. 

— Glauber's, 128. 

— Rochelle, T28. 
Salts of tartar, 115. 
Saltpetre, 120. 
Salvia, 557. 
Salviol, 557.] 
Sambucus, 469. 

[Sandalwood, oil of, 486. 

Sanguinaria, 373. 

Sanguinarine, 373, 571. 

Santal oil, 486. 

Santalal, 486. 

Santalin, 559. 

Santalol, 486. 

Santalum rubrum, 559.] 

Sanitas, 634. 

Santonica, 527. 
[Santonin, 527.] 

Santoninum, 527 

Sapo, 511. 

— animalis, 607. 

— mollis, 512. 

[ — viridis, 512.] 
Saponin, 372, 429, 564. 

[Sapogenin, 372.] 
Sarsaparilla, 567. 
Sassafras, 570. 

[ — medulla, 570. 

— pith, 570. 
Sassafrid, 570. 



Sassy bark, 62 t. 
Saucy bark, 621. 
Saunders, red, 559.] 
Savinfe, 487.] 
Scaling, 16. 
[Scammonin, 421.] 
Scammony, 421. 
[Scheele's prussic acid, 285.] 
Scilla, 361. 
[Scillin, 361. 
Scillitoxin, 361. 
Scillipicrin, 361. 
Scoparin, 533.] 
Scoparius, 532. 
[Scopolamine, 319. 
Scullcap, 572. 
Scutellaria, 572.] 
Secondary action, 41. 
[Secretion of milk, drugs act- 
ing on, 106. 
Sedatives, gastric, 78.] 
Seidlitz powder, 128. 
Senega, 371. 
[Senegin, 372.] 
Senna, 414. 

[Sennapicrin, 407, 414. 
Sennacrol, 414. 
Sensory nerves, drugs acting 

on, 92.] 
Serpentaria, 494. 
[Serum therapy, 624. 
Sesame, oil of, 558.] 
Sevum, 576. 
Sherry, 245. 
Sialogogues, 73. 
Silver, 156. 
[ — cyanide, 157. 

— iodide, 157. 

— nitrate, 156. 

diluted, 156. 

moulded, 157. 

— oxide, 157.] 
Simulo, 635. 
Sinapis, 443. 

— alba, 443. 

— nigra, 444. 
[Sinalbin, 443. 

Sinigrin, 444. 
Skin, drugs acting on, 57. 
Slippery elm, 520. 
Smilacin, 567. 
Snakeroot, black, 496. 

— Virginia, 494.] 



Soap, 511. 
[—bark, 564] 

— constitution of, 13. 
[ — curd, 607. 

— green, 512. 

— hard, 511. 

— soft, 512. 

— white castile, 511. 
Socaloin, 419. 
Socotrine aloes, 418.] 
Soda, 124, 126. 

[ — baking, 126. 

— solution of, 124] 

— waters, 85. 
Sodium, [124. 

— acetate, 132. 

— and potassium tartrate, 

128. 

— arsenate, 199. 
solution of, 199. 

— benzoate, 550. 

— bicarbonate, 126. 
troches, 126. 

— bisulphite, 131. 

— borate, 240. 

— bromide, 222. 

— carbonate, 125. 
dried, 126. 

— chlorate, 132. 

— chloride, 130. 

— ethylate, 607. 

— hydrate, 124. 
solution, 124. 

— hydroxide, 124. 

— hypophosphite, 211. 

— hyposulphite, 131. 

— iodide, 218. 

— nitrate, 131. 

— nitrite, 263. 

— orthophosphate, 127. 

— phosphate, 127. 

— pyrophosphate, 133. 

— paraphenolsulphonate,279 

— salicylate, 397. 

— sesquicarbonate, 126. 

— sulphate, 128. 

— sulphite, 131. 

— sulphocarbolate, 279. 

— thiosulphate, 131. 

— valerianate, 608. 
Soft petrolatum,] 288. 

— soap, 512. 

[ liniment, 512. 



66o 



INDEX. 



Solidified copaiba, 481. 
Somnal, 635.] 
Soporifics, 97. 
Soja beans, 635. 
[Sorghum, 555. 
Spanish flies, 586. 
Sprays, 33. 
Spearmint, 465. 
Sparteine, 362, 533. 

— sulphate) 362.] 
Spermaceti, 581. 

[Spindle tree, 432. 

Spigelene, 529. 

Spigelia, 529.J 

Spinal cord, drugs acting on, 

94- 
[Sphacelic acid, 536. 1 

Spirit of nitrous ether, 263. 
[ — mindererus, 137.] 

Spirits, 243. 

Spiritus, 28. 
[ — frumenti, 244. 

— vini gallici, 244.J 
Sponging, cold, no, 

— hot, in. 
Squill, 361. 

[ — compound syrup of, 205.] 

Standardizing, 16. 

Staphisagria, 530. 
[Star-anise, 466.] 

Starch, 563. 

Stavesacre, 530. 

Stearoptens, 14, 542. 
[Stearic acid, 576. 

Stillingia, 569. 

Stimulants, cerebral, 97. 

— hepatic, 88.] 
Stomach, drugs acting on, 74. 
Stomachics, 79. 

Storax, 478. 
Stramonium, 317. 
[Strengthening plaster, 172. 
Strontium, 143. 

— bromide, 223. 

— iodide, 219. 

— lactate, 144.] 
Strophanthus, 358. 

[Strophanthin, 358.] 

Strychnine, 328. 
[ — sulphate, 328. 

Styptic collodion, 501.] 

Styptics, 56. 

Styrax, 478. 



[Styrol, 478. 

Sublimate, corrosive, 188. 
Sublimed sulphur, 227.] 
Succi, 33. 
Sudorifics, 57. 
Suet, 576. 
Sugar, 555. 

— drugs causing it in urine, 

90. 

— of milk, 577. 
[— of lead, 152.] 

Sulphonal, 608. 
Sulphur, 227. 
I — flowers of, 227. 

— iodide, 229. 

— lotum, 227. 

— milk of, 227. 

— ointment, 228. 

! — precipitated, 227. 
! — sublimed, 227. 

— washed, 227. 
Sulphuric acid, 231. 

aromatic, 231. 

Sulphurated potassa, 229.] 
Sulphuris iodidum, 229. 

[Sulphurous acid, 239. 

Sumach, 508. 

Sumatra camphor, 543.] 

Sumbul, 462. 

Suppositoria, 29. 

Suspensions, 15. 
[Sweet Flag, 490. 

— orange peel, 498.] 

— spirit of nitre, 263. 
[ — almond, 517.] 

Sydenham's laudanum, 292. 
[Sylvacrol, 569] 
Symbols, 16. 
Sympathetic system, drugs 

acting on, 104. 
[Synthetic oil of wintergreen, 
401 ] 
• Syrupi, 29. 

'pYBACUM, 341. 
Tabellse, 33. 
I Tamar indien, 416. 
1 Tamarind, 406. 
[Tanacetin, 488. 
Tanacetum, 488. 
Tannic acid, 501.] 
Tannin, 501. 
[Tansy, 488.] 



' Tar, 439. 

Tarasp, 85. 
[Taraxacin, 497.] 

Taraxacum, 497. 
[Tartrated antimony, 204.] 

Tartar emetic, 204. 
[ — salts of, 115. 

— cream of, 119. 
Tartaric acid, 234.] 
Tea, 323. 

[Teel oil, 558.] 

Teeth, drugs acting on, 72. 
[Tepid bath, in.] 

Terebene, 438. 

Terebinthina, 434. 

— canadensis, 443. 
[Terpenes, 14. 

Terpin hydrate, 438. 

Tertiary amyl alcohol, 613. 

Testicular juice, 623. 

Tetraiodopyrrol, 627. 

Tetronal, 637. 

Tetramethyl thioninchlo- 
ride, 629. 

Thalline sulphate, 636. 

Thebaine, 291, 631.] 

Theine, 323. 

[Theobroma, oil of, 561. 

Thyroid extract, 623. 

Theobromine sodio salicyl- 
ate, 636. 

Thoroughwort, 408.] 

Therapeutics, 33. 

— definition, 9. 
[ — rational, 9. 

— empirical, 9. 

— experimental, 9. 
Therapo-dynamics, 9.] 
Theriaca, 608. 

[Thorn-apple seed, 317.] 

Thus Americanum, 609. 

Thymol, 545. 
[Thymene, 484. 

Tiglinic acid, 424. 

Tinctura antiperiodica, 396. 

— carminativa, 462. 

— chloroformi et morphinse, 

604.] 

Tincturae, 29. 

Tobacco, 341. 
[Tolu, 478.] 

Tonga, 636. 
[Tongine, 636.] 



INDEX. 



66 1 



Tonic, 107, 

Toxicology, definition, 10. 
[Toxicodendron acid, 553.] 

Tragacanth, 518. 

Treacle, 608. 
[Tribromomethane, 615. 

Trimethylethylene, 632. J 

Trinitrin, 267. 
[Trional, 637.] 

Triticum, 534. 
[Triticin, 534.] 

Triturationes, 30. 
[Troches, 30. ] 

Trochisci, 30. 
[Tropine, 599. 

Trunks of nerves, drugs act- 
ing on, 94. 

Tully's powder, 295.] 

Turpentine, 434. 
[ — liniment, 435. 

Turpeth mineral, 191. 

TJLMUS, 520.] 

Unguenta, 31. 
Urari, 620. 
Urea, action on, 90. 
Urethane, 637. 
[Urethanum, 637. 
Urethra, drugs acting on, 63- 
Urinary system, drugs acting 
on, 60. 

— sedatives, 63.] 

Urine, composition altered, 

63. 
[ — increased, 60. 

— diminished, 61. 1 

— rendered acid, 61. 

alkaline, 61. 

aseptic, 62. 

[United States Pharmaco- 
poeia, 11.] 
Uterus, drugs acting on, 105. 
[Uterine action, substances 

which depress, 105.] 
Uvae, 609. 
Uva ursi, 531. 

"\ 7AGUS centre, drugs act- 
ing on, 52. 
Valerian, 470. 
[Valerianic acid, 471. 
Vallet's mass, 169. 
Valeiol, 306. 
Vanilla, 557. 
Vanillin, 557.] 



Vapores, 33. 

Vaso motor centres, drugs 

acting on, 56. 
[Vegetable cathartic pills, 

426.] 
Vegetable drugs, 290. 
Veratrine, 369. 
Veratroidine, 367. 
Veratrum viride, 366. 
Vermicides, 45. 
Vermifuges, 45. 
Vesicants, 54. 

Vessels, drugs acting on, 53. 
[Viburnum opulus, 573. 

— prunifolium, 573. 
Viburnin, 573. 
Villacabras, 85.] 
Vina, 31. 
Vinegars, 19. 
Vinum, 244. 
Virginia prune, 549. 

— [snake root, 494. 
Vitellus, 582. 
Vittel, 140. 
Vitriol, blue, 163. 

— green, 167. 
Volatile liniment, 134.] 

— oils, 13, 433. 

[ — oil of mustard, 444. 

Vy AHOO, 432.] 
) Warburg's tincture, 

396. 
[Warm baths, 109. 
Warming plaster, 442. 
j Washed sulphur, 227. 
Washing soda, 125.] 
i Water, 108. 
[—distilled, 108. 
Waters, 19. 
Waukesha, 140.] 
; Wax, 585. 
[ — yellow, 585. 

— white, 585.] 
Weights, 16. 

[Wheaten flour, 596.] 
White corpuscles, drugs act 

ing on, 48. 
[ — arsenic, 198. 
( — castile soap, 511. 

— lead, 153. 

— mustard, 443. 
I — oak, 500. 

t — precipitate, 190. 
ointment, 190. 



White wax, 585. 
Wild cherry, 549. 
Witchhazel, 508. 
Wine of iron, bitter, 175. 

— white, 244. 

— red, 245.] 
Wines, 31. 

[Wintergreen, oil of, 401.] 
Wood wool, 638. 

[Wool fat, 590. 

hydrous, 576. 

Wormseed, 529. 

— American, 529. 
oil of, 529. 

— Levant, 527. 
Wormwood, 470. 
Woorara, 620.J 
Wourali, 620. 
[Wourari, 620. 



VANTHOXYLON, 566. 
Xanthoxylum, 566. 



\fEAST, 6o9 

Yellow wash, 188. 
[ — dock, 510. 
— jasmine, 336. 

— parilla, 568. 

— wax, 585. 
Yerba Santa, 384.] 
Yolk of egg, 582. 

ryANZIBAR aloes, 419. 
L Zea, 534. 
Zinci oleatum, 161.] 

— sulphocarbolas, 609. 

— valerianas, 472. 
[Zinc, 161. 

— acetate, 161. 

— bromide, 223. 

— carbonate, precipitated, 

160. 

— chloride, 159. 
solution, 159. 

— iodide, 219. 

— oleate, 161. 

— oxide, 161. 
ointment, 161. 

— phosphide, 212. 

— sulphate, 160. 

— valerianate, 472.] 
Zincum, 159. 
Zingiber, 460. 

[Zymine, 580. 



THE END.] 



CATALOGUE No. 7. 



JUNE. 1894. 



BOOKS 

FOR 

STUDENTS, 

INCLUDING THE 

? QUIZ-COMPENDS ? 



CONTENTS. 



New Series of Manuals 

Anatomy, 

Biology, 

Chemistry, . 

Children's Diseases, 

Dentistry, 

Dictionaries, 

Eye Diseases, 

Electricity, . 

Gynaecology, 

Hygiene, 

Materia Medica 

Medical Jurisprudence 

Nervous Diseases, 



,3,4,5 
. 6 



PAGE 

Obstetrics io 

Pathology, Histology, . . n 

Pharmacy, . . . .12 

Physical Diagnosis, . . 11 

Physiology, . . . .11 

Practice of Medicine, . x-r, 12 

Prescription Books, . . 12 

?Quiz-Compends ? . 14,15 

Skin Diseases, . . .12 

Surgery and Bandaging, . 13 

Therapeutics, . . .9 
Urine and Urinary Organs, 13 

Venereal Diseases, . . 13 



PUBLISHED BY 



P. BLAKISTON, SON & CO., 

Medical Booksellers, Importers and Publishers. 

LARGE STOCK OF ALL STUDENTS' BOOKS, AT 
THE LOWEST PRICES. 

1012 Walnut Street, Philadelphia. 



*** For sale by all Booksellers, or any book will be sent by mail, 
postpaid, upon receipt of price. Catalogues of books on all branches 
of Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, etc., supplied upon application. 



GOULD'S 
DICTIONARIES 



See Page 16. 



"An excellent Series of Manuals." — Archives of Gynecology. 

A NEW SERIES OF 

STUDENTS' MANUALS 

On the various Branches of Medicine and Surgery. 

Can be used by Students of any College. 

Price of each, Handsome Cloth, $3.00. Full Leather, $3.50 

The object of this series is to furnish good manuals 
for the medical student, that will strike the medium 
between the compend on one hand and the prolix text- 
book on the other — to contain all that is necessary for 
the student, without embarrassing him with a flood of 
theory and involved statements. They have been pre- 
pared by well-known men, who have had large experience 
as teachers and writers, and who are, therefore, well 
informed as to the needs of the student. 

Their mechanical execution is of the best — good type 
and paper, handsomely illustrated whenever illustrations 
are of use, and strongly bound in uniform style. 

Each book is sold separately at a remarkably low 
price, and the immediate success of several of the 
volumes shows that the series has met with popular 
favor. 

No. 1. SURGERY. 318 Illustrations. 

Third Edition. 

A Manual of the Practice of Surgery. By Wm. J. 

.Walsham, m.d., Asst. Surg, to, and Demonstrator of 

Surg, in, St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London, etc. 

318 Illustrations. 

Presents the introductory facts in Surgery in clear, precise 
language, and contains all the latest advances in Pathology, 
Antiseptics, etc. 

" It aims to occupy a position midway between the pretentious 
manual and the cumbersome System of Surgery, and its general 
character may be summed up in one word — practical." — The Medi- 
cal Bulletin. 

"Walsham, besides being an excellent surgeon, is a teacher in 
its best sense, and having had very great experience in the 
preparation of candidates for examination, and their subsequent 
professional career, may be relied upon to have carried out his 
work successfully. Without following out in detail his arrange- 
ment, which is excellent, we can at once say that his book is an 
embodiment of modern ideas neatly strung together, with an amount 
of careful organization well suited to the candidate, and, indeed, to 
the practitioner." — British Medical Journal. 

Price of each Book, Cloth, $3.00 ; Leather, $3.50. 



THE NEW SERIES OF MANUALS. 



No. 2. DISEASES OF WOMEN. 150 Illus. 

NEW EDITION. 

The Diseases of Women. Including Diseases of the 
Bladder and Urethra. By Dr. F. Winckel, Professor 
of Gynaecology and Director of the Royal University 
Clinic for Women, in Munich. Second Edition. Re- 
vised and Edited by Theophilus Parvin, M.D., 
Professor of Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and 
Children in Jefferson Medical College. 150 Engrav- 
ings, most of which are original. 
" The book will be a valuable one to physicians, and a safe and 

satisfactory one to put into the hands of students. It is issued in a 

neat and attractive form, and at a very reasonable price." — Boston 

Medical and Surgical Journal . 

No. 3. ANATOMY. Sixth Edition. 

311 ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Holden's Anatomy. A Manual of the Dissections of 
the Human Body. By John Langton, f. r. c.S., Sur- 
geon to, and Lecturer on Anatomy at, St. Bartholo- 
mew's Hospital. Carefully Revised by A. Hewson, 
M.D., Demonstrator of Anatomy, Jefferson Medical 
College; Chief of Surgical Clinic, Jefferson Hospital; 
Mem. Assoc. Amer. Anatomists, etc. 311 Illustrations. 
This book comes bound in oil- cloth — price $3.00 — -as 
well as in the regular cloth and leather styles. 
" The work before us is a brilliant example of the new order of 

text-books. * * * We would call special attention to the character 

of the illustrations with which the volume is bountifully furnished." 

— American Journal of Medical Sciences. 

No. 4. PHYSIOLOGY. Sixth Edition. 

254 ILLUSTRATIONS AND A GLOSSARY. 
A Manual of Physiology. By Gerald F. Yeo, m.d., 

F.R.C s., Professor of Physiology in King's College, 

London. 254 Illustrations and a Glossary of Terms. 

Sixth American from last English Edition, revised and 

improved. 

This volume was "specially prepared to furnish students with a 
new text-book of Physiology, elementary so far as to avoid theories 
which have not borne the test of time and such details of methods 
as are unnecessary for students in our medical colleges. 

"The brief examination I have given it was so favorable that I 
placed it in the list of text-books recommended in the circular of the 
University Medical College." — Prof. Lewis A. Stimson, m.d., 
J7 East 33d Street, New York. 

Price of each Book, Cloth, $3.00; Leather, $3.50. 



THE NEW SERIES OF MANUALS. 



No. 5. DISEASES OP CHILDREN. 

SECOND EDITION. 
A Manual. By J. F. Goodhart, m.d., Phys. to the 
Evelina Hospital for Children ; Asst. Phys. to 
Guy's Hospital, London. Second American Edition. 
Edited and Rearranged by Louis Starr, m.d., Clinical 
Prof, of Dis. of Children in the Hospital of the Univ. 
of Pennsylvania, and Physician to the Children's Hos- 
pital, Phila. Containing many new Prescriptions, a list 
of over 50 Formulae, conforming to the U. S. Pharma- 
copoeia, and Directions for making Artificial Human 
Milk, for the Artificial Digestion of Milk, etc. Illus. 

" A safe and reliable guide, and in many ways admirably adapted 
to the wants of the student and practitioner." — American Journal 
of Medical Science. 

No. 6. MATERIA MEDIOA, PHARMACY, 
PHARMACOLOGY, AND THE- 
RAPEUTICS. 

A Handbook for Students. By Wm, Hale White, 
M.D., F.R.C.P., etc., Physician to, and Lecturer on Ma- 
teria Medica, Guy's Hospital ; Examiner in Materia 
Medica, Royal College of Physicians, London, etc. 
• American Edition. Revised by Reynold W. Wilcox, 
M.A., m.d., Prof, of Clinical Medicine at the New York 
Post-Graduate Medical School and Hospital ; Assistant 
Visiting Physician Bellevue Hospital. 580 pages. 

Dr. Wilcox's long experience in teaching and writing on thera- 
peutical subjects particularly fits him for the position of editor, 
and the double authorship has resulted in making a very complete 
handbook, containing much minor useful information that if pre- 
pared by one man might have been overlooked. 

No. 7. MEDICAL JURISPRUDENCE AND 

TOXICOLOGY. THIRD EDITION. 
By John J. Reese, m.d., Professor of Medical Jurispru- 
dence and Toxicology in the University of Pennsyl- 
vania; President of the Medical Jurisprudence Society 
of Phila.; Third Edition, Revised and Enlarged. 

"This admirable text-book." — Amer.Jour. 0/ Med. Sciences. 

" We lay this volume aside, after a careful perusal of its pages, 
with the profound impression that it should be in the hands of every 

doctor and lawyer. It fully meets the wants of all students 

He has succeeded in admirably condensing into a handy volume all 
the essential points." — Cincinnati Lancet and Clinic. 

Price of each Book. Cloth, $3.00 ; Leather, $3.50. 



THE NEW SERIES OF MANUALS. 



No. 8. DISEASES OF THE EYE. 164Illus. 

FOURTH EDITION. 

Diseases of the Eye and their Treatment. A Handbook 
for Physicians and Students. By Henry R. Swanzy, 
a.m., m.b., f.r.C.s.i., Surgeon to the National Eye and 
Ear Infirmary; Ophthalmic Surgeon to the Adelaide 
Hospital, Dublin; Examiner in Ophthalmic Surgery 
in the Royal University of Ireland. Fourth Edition, 
Thoroughly Revised. 164 Illustrations and a Zephyr 
Plate for Testing Color Blindness. 518 pages. 

" Mr. Swanzy has succeeded in producing the most intellectually 
conceived and thoroughly executed resume of the science within 
the limits he has assigned himself. As a 'students' handbook/ 
small in size and moderate in price, it can hardly be equaled."- 1 - 
Medical News. 

"A full, clear, and comprehensive statement of Eye Diseases 
and their treatment, practical and thorough, and we feel fully jus- 
tified in commending it to our readers. It is written in a clear and 
forcible style, presenting in a condensed yet comprehensive form 
current and modern information that will prove alike beneficial to 
the student and general practitioner." — Southern Practitioner. 

No. 9. MENTAL DISEASES. 

WITH ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Lectures on Mental Diseases, designed for Medical Stu- 
dents and General Practitioners. By Henry Putnam 
SteArns, a.m., M.D., Physician Superintendent at the 
Hartford Retreat, Lecturer on Mental Diseases in Yale 
University, New Haven, Conn., Hon. Mem. British 
Psycho. Asso'n, etc. With Illustrations and a Digest of 
the Laws of the various States relating to the Commit- 
ment and Care of the Insane. 636 pages. 

No. 10. MEDICAL CHEMISTRY. 

THIRD EDITION. ILLUSTRATED. 

A Text-Book of Medical and Pharmaceutical Chemistry. 
By E. H. Bartley, m.d., Professor of Chemistry 
and Toxicology at Long Island College Hospital, 
Chief Chemist Board of Health, Brooklyn, N. Y., etc. 
With Glossary and Illustrations. 684 pages. 

" It is with pleasure that we notice what is probably the best 
chemistry for medical students — for its size — now in the market. 
Prof. Bartley has written the book because he had something to 
say; and he has said it well." — The Journal of the American 
Medical Association, Chicago, III. 

Price of each Book, Cloth, $3.00; Leather, $3.50. 



6 STUDENTS' TEXT-BOOKS AND MANUALS. 

ANATOMY. 

Morris' New Text-Book on Anatomy. Now Ready. By 
ten leading Surgeons and Anatomists, and Edited by Henry 
Morris, f.r.c.s. 791 Specially Engraved Illustrations, 214 ot 
which are printed in colors. Octavo. 1280 pages. 

Price in Cloth, 7.50; Sheep, 8.50; Half Russia, 9.50 
*** Send for Descriptive Circular and Sample Pages. 

Macalister's Human Anatomy. 816 Illustrations. A new 
Text-book for Students and Practitioners, Systematic and Topo- 
graphical, including the Embryology, Histology, and Morphology 
of Man. With special reference to the requirements of 
Practical Surgery and Medicine. With 816 Illustrations, 
400 of which are original. Octavo. Cloth, 7.50; Leather, 8.50 

Ballou's Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology. Illustrated. 
By Wm. R. Ballou, m.d., Professor of Equine Anatomy at New 
York College of Veterinary Surgeons. 29 graphic Illustrations. 
i2mo. Cloth, 1. 00; Interleaved for notes, 1.25 

Holden's Dissector. A manual of Dissection of the Human 
Body. Sixth Edition. Edited by A. Hewson, m.d., Demonstra- 
tor of Anatomy at Jefferson Medical College. 311 Illustrations, 
many of which are new. Oil-cioth, 3.00; Sheep, 3.50 

Holden's Human Osteology. Comprising a Description of the 
Bones, with Colored Delineations of the Attachments of the 
Muscles. The General and Microscopical Structure of Bone and 
its Development. With Lithographic Plates and Numerous Illus- 
trations. Seventh Edition. 8vo. Cloth, 6.00 

Holden's Landmarks, Medical and Surgical. 4th Ed. Clo.,1.25 

Potter's Compend of Anatomy. Fifth Edition. Enlarged. 
16 Lithographic Plates. 117 Illustrations. See page 14. 

Cloth, 1. 00; Interleaved for Notes, 1.25 

CHEMISTRY. 

Bartley's Medical and Pharmaceutical Chemistry. Third 
Edition. Prepared specially for Medical, Pharmaceutical, and 
Dental Students. 60 Illustrations, Plate of Absorption Spectra, 
and Glossary. Revised and Enlarged. Cloth, 3.00 

Trimble. Practical and Analytical Chemistry. A Course in 
Chemical Analysis, by Henry Trimble, Prof, of Analytical Chem- 
istry in the Phila. College of Pharmacy. Illustrated. Fourth 
Edition, Enlarged. 8vo. Cloth, 1.50 

Bloxam's Chemistry, Inorganic and Organic, with Experiments. 
Seventh Edition. 281 Illustrations. Cloth, 4.50; Leather, 5.50 
4SS~ See pages 2 to 5 for list of Students' Manuals . 



STUDENTS' TEXT-BOOKS AND MANUALS. 7 

Chemistry : — Continued. 

Richter's Inorganic Chemistry. Fourth American, from Sixth 
German Edition. Translated by Prof. Edgar F. Smith, ph.d. 
89 Wood Engravings and Colored Plate of Spectra. Cloth, 2.00 

Richter's Organic Chemistry, or Chemistry of the Carbon 
Compounds. Illustrated. Second Edition. Cloth, 4.50 

Symonds. Manual of Chemistry, for the special use of Medi- 
cal Students. By Brandreth Symonds, a.m., m.d., Asst. 
Physician Roosevelt Hospital, Out- Patient Department ; Attend- 
ing Physician Northwestern Dispensary, New York. Cloth, 2.00 

Leffmann's Compend of Medical Chemistry. Including 
Urinary Analysis. Third Edition. Revised. 
See page 13. Cloth, 1.00; Interleaved for Notes, 1.25 

Muter. Practical and Analytical Chemistry. Fourth Edi- 
tion. Revised, to meet the requirements of American Medical 
Colleges, by Prof. C. C. Hamilton. Illustrated. Cloth, 1.25 

Holland. The Urine, Common Poisons, and Milk Analysis, 
Chemical and Microscopical. For Laboratory Use. Fourth 
Edition, Enlarged. Illustrated. Cloth, 1.00 

Woody. Essentials of Chemistry for the Medical Student. 
Third Edition. Cloth, 1.25 

CHILDREN. 

Goodhart and Starr. The Diseases of Children. Second 
Edition. By J. F. Goodhart, m.d., Physician to the Evelina 
Hospital for Children ; Assistant Physician to Guy's Hospital, 
London. Revised and Edited by Louis Starr, m.d., Clinical 
Professor of Diseases of Children in the Hospital of the Univer- 
sity of Pennsylvania; Physician to the Children's Hospital, 
Philadelphia. Containing many Prescriptions and Formulae, 
conforming to the U. S. Pharmacopoeia, Directions for making 
Artificial Human Milk, for the Artificial Digestion of Milk, etc. 
Illustrated. Cloth, 3.00; Leather, 3.50 

Hatfield. Diseases of Children. By M. P. Hatfield, m.d., 
Professor of Diseases of Children, Chicago Medical College. 
Colored Plate. i2mo. Cloth, 1.00; Interleaved, 1.25 

Starr. Diseases of the Digestive Organs in Infancy and 
Childhood. With chapters on the Investigation of Disease, 
and on the General Management of Children. By Louis Starr, 
m.d., Clinical Professor of Diseases of Children in the Univer- 
sity of Pennsylvania. Illus. Second Edition. Cloth, 2.25 
4®* See pages 14 and 15 for list of? Quiz- Cotnpends? 



8 STUDENTS' TEXT-BOOKS AND MANUALS. 

DENTISTRY. 

Fillebrown. Operative Dentistry. 330 Illus. Cloth, 2.5© 

Flagg's Plastics and Plastic Filling. 4th Ed. Cloth, 4.00 
Gorgas. Dental Medicine. Fourth Edition. Cloth, 3.90 

Harris. Principles and Practice of Dentistry. Including 
Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology, Therapeutics, Dental Surgery 
and Mechanism. Twelfth Edition. Revised and enlarged by 
Professor Gorgas. 1028 Illustrations. Cloth, 7.00 ; Leather, 8.00 
Richardson's Mechanical Dentistry. Sixth Edition. By 
Warren. 6co Illustrations. 8vo. Cloth, 4.50; Leather, 5.50 

Sewill. Dental Surgery. 200 Illustrations. 3d Ed. Clo., 3.00 
Taft's Operative Dentistry. Dental Students and Practitioners. 
Fourth Edition. 100 Illustrations. Cloth, 4.25 ; Leather, 5.00 
Talbot. Irregularities of the Teeth, and their Treatment. 
Illustrated. 8vo. Second Edition. Cloth, 3.00 

Tomes' Dental Anatomy. Third Ed. 191 Illus. Cloth, 4.00 
Tomes' Dental Surgery. 3d Edition. 292 Illus. Cloth, 5.00 
Warren. Compend of Dental Pathology and Dental Medi- 
cine. Illustrated. 2d Ed. Cloth, 1. 00; Interleaved, 1.25 

DICTIONARIES. 

Gould's Student's Medical Dictionary. Containing the Defi- 
nition and Pronunciation of all words in Medicine, with many 
useful Tables, etc. 

% Dark Leather, 3.25 ; y z Mor., Thumb Index, 4.25 

Gould's Pocket Dictionary. 12,000 Medical 'Words Pro- 
nounced and Defined. Containing many Tables and an 
Elaborate Dose List. Thin 64mo. 

Leather, gilt edges, 1.00; with Thumb Index, 1.25 

Harris' Dictionary of Dentistry. Fifth Edition. Completely 
revised by Prof. Gorgas. Cloth, 5.00 ; Leather, 6.00 

Cleaveland's Pronouncing Pocket Medical Lexicon. Small 
pocket size. Cloth, red edges .75 , pocket-book style, 1.00 

Longley's Pocket Dictionary. The Student's Medical Lexicon, 
giving Definition and Pronunciation , with an Appendix giving 
Abbreviations used in Prescriptions, Metric Scale of Doses, etc. 
24mo. Cloth, 1. 00; pocket-book style, 1.25 

EYE. 

Hartridge on Refraction. 5th Edition. Illus. Cloth, 2.00 

Swanzy. Diseases of the Eye and their Treatment. 176 

Illustrations. Fourth Edition. Cloth, 300; Leather, 3.50 

Fox and Gould. Compend of Diseases of the Eye and 

Refraction. 2d Ed. Enlarged. 71 Illus. 39 Formulae. 

Cloth. 1. 00 ; Interleaved for Notes, 1.25 
Q&~ See pages 2 to 5 for list of Students' Manuals. 



STUDENTS' TEXT-BOOKS AND MANUALS. 9 

ELECTRICITY. 

Bigelow. Plain Talks on Medical Electricity. Cloth, i.oo 

Mason's Compend of Medical Electricity. Cloth, i.oo 

Steavenson and Jones. Medical Electricity. A Practical 

Handbook. Just Ready. Illustrated. i2mo. Cloth, 2.50 

HYGIENE. 

Coplin and Bevan. Practical Hygiene. By W. M. L. Cop- 
lin, Adjunct Professor of Hygiene, Jefferson Medical College, 
Philadelphia, and Dr. D. Bevan. Illustrated. Cloth, 4.00 

Parkes' (Ed. A.) Practical Hygiene. Seventh Edition, en- 
larged. Illustrated. 8vo. Cloth, 4.50 

Parkes' (L. C.) Manual of Hygiene and Public Health. 
Second Edition. i2mo. Cloth, 2.50 

Wilson's Handbook of Hygiene and Sanitary Science. 
Seventh Edition. Revised and Illustrated. Cloth, 3.25 

MATERIA MEDICA AND THERAPEUTICS. 

Potter's Compend of Materia Medica, Therapeutics, and 
Prescription "Writing. Fifth Edition, revised and improved. 
See page if. Cloth, 1.00; Interleaved for Notes, 1.25 

Davis. Essentials of Materia Medica and Prescription 
"Writing. By J. Aubrey Davis, m.d., Demonstrator of Obstet- 
rics and Quiz-Master on Materia Medica, University of Penn- 
sylvania. i2mo. Interleaved. Net, 1.50 

Biddle's Materia Medica. Twelfth Edition. By the late 
John B. Biddle, m.d. Revised by Clement Biddle, m.d. 8vo. 
Illustrated. Cloth, 4.25; Leather, 5.00 

Potter. Handbook of Materia Medica, Pharmacy, and 
Therapeutics. Including Action of Medicines, Special Thera- 
peutics, Pharmacology, etc. By Saml. O. L. Potter, m.d., 
m.r.c.p. (Lond.), Professor of the Practice of Medicine in 
Cooper Medical College, San Francisco. Fourth Revised and 
Enlarged Edition. 776 pages. 8vo. Cloth, 4.00; Leather, 5.00 

Sayre. Organic Materia Medica and Pharmacognosy. 
A Handbook of Pharmacy and Medicine. By L. E. Sayre, 
ph.g., Professor of Pharmacy and Materia Medica, University 
of Kansas ; Member Committee of Revision of U. S. P. 400 
Illustrations. 8vo. Nearly Ready. 

&S~ See pages 14 and 13 for list of f Quix- Compends f 



10 STUDENTS' TEXT-BOOKS AND MANUALS. 

"White and "Wilcox. Materia Medica, Pharmacy, Phar- 
macology, and Therapeutics. A Handbook for Students. 
By Wm. Hale White, m.d., f.r.c.p., etc., Physician to and 
Lecturer on Materia Medica, Guy's Hospital. Revised by 
Reynold W. Wilcox, m.d., Professor of Clinical Medicine at the 
New York Post Graduate Medical School, Assistant Physician 
Bellevue Hospital, etc. American Edition. Clo., 3.00; Lea., 3.50 

MEDICAL JURISPRUDENCE. 

Reese. A Text-book of Medical Jurisprudence and Toxi- 
cology. By John J. Reese, m.d., Prof, of Medical Jurispru- 
dence and Toxicology in the Medical Depart., University of 
Pennsylvania. Third Edition. Cloth, 3.00; Leather, 3.50 

NERVOUS DISEASES. 

Gowers. Manual of Diseases of the Nervous System. 
A Complete Text-book. By William R. Gowers, m.d., Prof. 
Clinical Medicine, University College, London. Physician to 
National Hospital for the Paralyzed and Epileptic. Second 
Edition. Revised, Enlarged, and in many parts Rewritten. 
With many new Illustrations. Octavo. 

Vol. I. Diseases of the Nerves and Spinal Cord. 616 

pages. Cloth, 3.50 

Vol. II. Diseases of the Brain and Cranial Nerves. 

General and Functional Diseases. 1069 pages. Cloth, 4.50 

Ormerod. Diseases of Nervous System, Student's Guide to. 
By J. A. Ormerod, m.d., Oxon., f.r.c.p. (London), Mem. Path., 
Clin., Ophthal., and Neurological Societies; Phys. to National 
Hospital for Paralyzed and Epileptic ; Dem. of Morbid Anatomy, 
St. Bartholomew's Hospital, etc. 75 Illustrations. Cloth, 2.00 

OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY. 

Davis. A Manual of Obstetrics. By Edw. P. Davis, Clinical 
Lecturer on Obstetrics, Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia. 
16 Plates, and 134 Illustrations. i2mo. 2d Edition. Cloth, 2.50 

Byford. Diseases of "Women. By W. H. Byford,M.D., Prof, 
of Gynaecology in Rush Medical College and of Obstetrics in the 
Woman's Medical College, etc., and H. T. Byford, m.d., Sur- 
geon to the Woman's Hospital, Chicago. Fourth Edition. En- 
larged. 306 Illustrations, over 100 of which are original. Octavo. 
832 pages. Cloth, 2.00 ; Leather, 2.50 

Lewers' Diseases of "Women. A Practical Text-book. 139 
Illustrations. Second Edition. Cloth, 2.50 

"Wells. Compend of Gynaecology. Illustrated. Cloth, 1.00 

Winckel's Obstetrics. A Text-book on Midwifery, includ- 
ing the Diseases of Childbed. By Dr. F. Winckel, Professor 
of Gynaecology, University of Munich. Authorized Translation, 
by J. Clifton Edgar, m.d., Lecturer on Obstetrics, University 
Medical College, New York. Nearly 200 handsome Illustrations. 
8vo. Cloth, 6.00; Leather, 7.00 

45P" See pages 2 to 5 for list of New Manuals. 



STUDENTS' TEXT-BOOKS AND MANUALS. 11 

Obstetrics and Gynecology : — Continued. 
Parvin's Winckel's Diseases ofWomen. Second Edition. 

Including a Section on Diseases of the Bladder and Urethra. 

150 Illus. Revised. See page 3. Cloth, 3.00; Leather, 3.50 

Landis' Compend of Obstetrics. Illustrated. 5th Edition, 

Enlarged. By Wells. Cloth, 1. 00; Interleaved for Notes, 1.25 

PATHOLOGY, HISTOLOGY, ETC. 

Stirling. Outlines of Practical Histology. A Manual for 
Students. 2d Edition. 368 Illustrations. i2mo. Cloth, 3.00 

Wethered. Medical Microscopy. By Frank J. Wethered. 
m.d., m.r.c.p. 98 Illustrations. Cloth, 2.50 

Hall. Compend of General Pathology and Morbid Anat- 
omy. 91 very fine Illustrations. Cloth, 1. 00; Interleaved, 1.25 

Gilliam's Essentials of Pathology. A Handbook for Students. 
47 Illustrations. i2mo. Cloth, .75 

Virchow's Post-Mortem Examinations. 3d Ed. Cloth, 1.00 

PHYSICAL DIAGNOSIS. 

Tyson's Student's Handbook of Physical Diagnosis. Illus- 
trated. Second Edition, Enlarged. i2mo. Cloth, 1.50 

PHYSIOLOGY. 

Yeo's Physiology. Sixth Edition. The most Popular Stu- 
dents' Book. By Gerald F. Yeo, m.d., f.r.c.s., Professor of 
Physiology in King's College, London. Small Octavo. 254 
carefully printed Illustrations. With a Full Glossary and Index. 
See page 3. Cloth, 3.00; Leather, 3.50 

Brubaker's Compend of Physiology. Illustrated. Seventh 
Edition. Cloth, 1.00; Interleaved for Notes, 1.25 

Kirke's Physiology. New 13th Ed. Thoroughly Revised and 
Enlarged. 502 Illustrations, some of which are printed in colors. 
(Blakiston's Authorized Edition?) Red CI., 4.00; Leather, 5.00 

L-andois' Human Physiology. Including Histology and Micro- 
scopical Anatomy, and with special reference to Practical Medi- 
cine. Fourth Edition. Translated and Edited by Prof. Stirling. 
845 Illustrations. Cloth, 7.00; Leather, 8.00 

" With this Text-book at his command, no student could fail in 

his examination." — Lancet. 



PRACTICE. 

Taylor. Practice of Medicine. A Manual. By Frederick 
Taylor, m.d., Physician to, and Lecturer on Medicine at, Guy's 
Hospital, London ; Physician to Evelina Hospital for Sick Chil- 
dren, and Examiner in Materia Medica and Pharmaceutical 
Chemistry, University of London. Cloth, 2.00; Leather, 2.50 

4®°" See pages 14 and 15 for list of ? Quiz-Compends f 



12 STUDENTS' TEXT-BOOKS AND MANUALS. 

Practice : — Continued. 

Roberts' Practice. Revised Edition. A Handbook of the 
Theory and Practice of Medicine. By Frederick T. Roberts, 
m.d. , m.r.c.p., Professor of Clinical Medicine and Therapeutics 
in University College Hospital, London. Seventh Edition. 
Octavo. Cloth, 5.50; Sheep, 6.50 

Hughes. Compend of the Practice of Medicine. 5th Edi- 
tion. Two parts, each, Cloth, 1.00; Interleaved for Notes, 1.25 
Part i. — Continued, Eruptive and Periodical Fevers, Diseases 

of the Stomach, Intestines, Peritoneum, Biliary Passages, Liver, 

Kidneys, etc., and General Diseases, etc. 

Part ii. — Diseases of the Respiratory System, Circulatory 

System, and Nervous System ; Diseases of the Blood, etc. 

Physicians' Edition. Fifth Edition. Including a Section 
on Skin Diseases. With Index. 1 vol. Full Morocco, Gilt, 2.50 

From John A. Robinson, M.D., Assistant to Chair of Clinical 
Medicine, now Lecturer on Materia Medica, Rush Medical Col- 
lege, Chicago. 
" Meets with my hearty approbation as a substitute for the 

ordinary note books almost universally used by medical students. 

It is concise, accurate, well arranged, and lucid, . . . just the 

thing for students to use while studying physical diagnosis and the 

more practical departments of medicine. 

Wythe's Dose and Symptom Book. Containing the Doses 

and Uses of all the principal Articles of the Materia Medica, etc. 

Seventeenth Edition. Completely Revised and Rewritten. 32mo. 

Cloth, 1. 00; Pocket-book style, 1.23 

PHARMACY. 

U. S. Pharmacopoeia, 1890, 7th Revision. 
Cloth, net, 2 50; Sheep, net, 3.00. (Add 27 cents if to go by 
mail.) 

Sayre. Organic Materia Medica and Pharmacognosy. 
400 Illustrations. See page o. Nearly Ready. 

Stewart's Compend of Pharmacy. Based upon Remington's 
Text-book of Pharmacy. Fourth Edition, Revised in accordance 
with new U.S P., 1890. Cloth, 1. 00; Interleaved for Notes, 1.25 

Robinson. Latin Grammar of Pharmacy and Medicine. 
By H. D. Robinson, ph.d., Professor of Latin Language and 
Literature, University of Kansas, Lawrence. With an Intro- 
duction by L. E. Sayre, ph.g., Professor of Pharmacy in, and 
Dean of, the Dept. of Pharmacy, University of Kansas. i2mo. 
Second Edition. Cloth, 2. 00 

SKIN DISEASES. 

Crocker. Diseases of the Skin, their Description, Pathology, 
Diagnosis, and Treatment, with Special Reference to the Skin 
h ruptions of Children. By H. Radcliffe Crocker, f.r.c p., Phy- 
sician for Diseases of the Skin in Lniversity College Hospital. 
Second Edition. Revised and Enlarged, with 92 Wood-cuts. 

Cloth, 5.00 
Van Harlingen on Skin Diseases. Third Edition. Enlarged 
and Illustrated. 12010. In Press. 

45f See pages 2 to 5 for list of New Manuals. 



STUDENTS' TEXT-BOOKS AND MANUALS. 13 

SURGERY AND BANDAGING. 

Moullin's Surgery, by Hamilton. 600 Illustrations (some 
colored), 200 of which are original. Second Edition. 

Cloth, net, 7.00; Leather, net, 8.00; Half Russia, net, 9.00 
*#* Complete circulars, with sample pages and Illustrations, free 
upon application. 

Jacobson. Operations in Surgery. A Systematic Handbook 
for Physicians, Students, and Hospital Surgeons. By W. H. A. 
Jacobson, b.a. Oxon., f.r.c.s. Eng. ; Ass't Surgeon Guy's Hos- 
pital ; Surgeon at Royal Hospital for Children and Women, etc. 
199 Illustrations. 1006 pages. 8vo. Cloth. 5.00; Leather, 6.00 
Heath's Minor Surgery, and Bandaging. Tenth Edition. 158 
Illustrations. 62 Formulae, and Diet Lists. Cloth, 2.00 

Horwitz's Compend of Surgery, Minor Surgery and 
Bandaging, Amputations, Fractures, Dislocations, Surgical 
Diseases, and the Latest Antiseptic Rules, etc., with Differential 
Diagnosis and Treatment. By Orville Hokwitz, b.s., m.d., 
Demonstrator of Surgery, Jefferson Medical College. 5th Edition. 
Enlarged and Rearranged. Many new Illustrations and Formulae. 
i2mo. Cloth, 1. 00 ; Interleaved for the addition of Notes, 1.25 
*M!*The new Section on Bandaging and Surgical Dressings con- 
sists of 32 Pages and 41 Illustrations. Every Bandage of any 
importance is figured. This, with the Section on Ligation ot 
Arteries, forms an ample Text-book for the Surgical Laboratory. 
Walsham. Manual of Practical Surgery. Third Edition. 
By Wm. J. Walsham, m.d., f.r.c.s., Asst. Surg, to, and Dem- 
of Practical Surg, in, St. Bartholomew's Hospital; Surgeon to 
Metropolitan Free Hospital, London. With 318 Engravings. 
See page 2. Cloth, 3.00 ; Leather, 3.50 

URINE, URINARY ORGANS, ETC. 

Holland. The Urine, and Common Poisons and The 
Milk. Chemical and Microscopical, for Laboratory Use. Illus- 
trated. Fourth Edition. i2mo. Interleaved. Cloth, 1.00 

Ralfe. Kidney Diseases and Urinary Derangements. 42 Illus- 
trations. i2mo. 572 pages. Cloth, 2.75 

Marshall and Smith. On the Urine. The Chemical Analysis ot 
the Urine. Colored Plates. i2mo. Cloth, 1. 00 

Memminger. Diagnosis by the Urine. Illus. Cloth, 1.00 

Tyson. On the Urine. A Practical Guide to the Examination 
of Urine. With Colored Plates and Wood Engravings. Eighth 
Edition, Enlarged. i2mo. Cloth, 1.50 

Van Niiys, Urine Analysis. Illus. Cloth, 1.00 



VENEREAL DISEASES. 

Hill and Cooper. Student's Manual of Venereal Diseases, 
with Formulae. Fourth Edition. i2mo. Cloth, 1.00 

*g=- See pages 14 and 15 for list 0/ f Quiz-Compends f 



? 



QUIZ-COMPENDS? 

The Best Compends for Students' Use 
in the Quiz Class, and when Pre- 
paring for Examinations. 

Compiled in accordance with the latest teachings of promu 
' nent Lecturers and the most popular Text-books. 

They form a most complete, practical, and exhaustive 
set of manuals, containing information nowhere else col- 
lected in such a condensed, practical shape. Thoroughly 
up to the times in every respect, containing many new 
prescriptions and formulae, and over' six hundred illustra- 
tions, many of which have been drawn and engraved 
specially for this series. The authors have had large ex- 
perience as quiz-masters and attaches of colleges, with 
exceptional opportunities for noting the most recent ad- 
vances and methods. 

Cloth, each $1.00. Interleaved for Notes, $1.25. 

No. 1. HUMAN ANATOMY, " Based upon Gray." Fifth 
Enlarged Edition, including Visceral Anatomy, formerly 
published separately. 16 Lithograph Plates, New 
Tables, and 117 other Illustrations. By Samuel O. L. 
Potter, m.a., m.d., m.r.c.p. (Lond.), late A. A. Surgeon U. S. 
Army, Professor of Practice, Cooper Medical College, San Fran- 
cisco. 
Nos. 2 and 3. PRACTICE OF MEDICINE. Fifth Edi- 
tion. By Daniel E. Hughes, m.d., Demonstrator of Clinical 
Medicine in Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia. In two parts. 
Part I. — Continued, Eruptive, and Periodical Fevers, Diseases 
of the Stomach, Intestines, Peritoneum, Biliary Passages, Liver, 
Kidneys, etc. (including Tests for Urine), General Diseases, etc. 

Part II. — Diseases of the Respiratory System (including Phy- 
sical Diagnosis), Circulatory System, and Nervous System; Dis- 
eases of the Blood, etc. 

*** These little books can be regarded as a full set of notes upon 
the Practice of Medicine, containing the Synonyms, Definitions, 
Causes, Symptoms, Prognosis, Diagnosis, Treatment, etc., of each 
disease, and including a number of prescriptions hitherto unpub- 
lished. 

No. 4. PHYSIOLOGY, including Embryology. Seventh 
Edition. By Albert P. Brubaker, m.d., Prof, of Physiology, 
Penn'a College of Dental Surgery ; Demonstrator of Physiology 
in Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia. Revised, Enlarged, 
with new Illustrations. 
No. 5. OBSTETRICS. Illustrated. Fifth Edition; By 
Henky G. Landis, m.d. Edited by William H. Wells, m.d., 
Assistant Demonstrator of Clinical Obstetrics, Jefferson College, 
Philadelphia. New Illustrations. 






BLAKISTON'S ? QUIZ-COMPENDS ? 

No. 6. MATERIA MEDICA, THERAPEUTICS, AND 
PRESCRIPTION WRITING. Fifth Revised Edition. 

With especial Reference to the Physiological Action of Drugs, 
and a complete article on Prescription Writing. Based on the 
Last Revision of the U. S. Pharmacopoeia, and including many 
unofficinal remedies. By Samuel O. L. Potter, m.a., m.d., 
m.r.c.p. (Lond.), late A. A. Surg. U. S. Army ; Prof, of Practice, 
Cooper Medical College, San Francisco. Improved and Enlarged, 
with Index. 

No. 7. GYNECOLOGY. A Compend of Diseases of Women. 
By Wm. H. Wells, m.d., Ass't Demonstrator of Obstetrics, 
Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia. Illustrated. 

No. 8. DISEASES OF THE EYE AND REFRACTION, 
including Treatment and Surgery. By L. Webster Fox, m.d., 
Chief Clinical Assistant Ophthalmological Dept., Jefferson Med- 
ical College, etc., and Geo. M. Gould, m.d. 71 Illustrations, 39 
Formulae. Second Enlarged and Improved Edition. Index. 

No. 9. SURGERY, Minor Surgery and Bandaging. Illus- 
trated. Fifth Edition. Including Fractures, Wounds, 
Dislocations, Sprains, Amputations, and other operations; Inflam- 
mation, Suppuration, Ulcers, Syphilis, Tumors, Shock, etc. 
Diseases of the Spine, Ear, Bladder, Testicles, Anus, and 
other Surgical Diseases. By Orville Horwitz, a.m., m.d., 
Demonstrator of Surgery, Jefferson Medical College. Revised 
and Enlarged. 98 Formulae and 167 Illustrations. 

No. 10. CHEMISTRY. Inorganic and Organic. For Medical 
and Dental Students. Including Urinary Analysis and Medical 
Chemistry. By Henry Leffmann, m.d., Prof, of Chemistry in 
Penn'a College of Dental Surgery, Phila. Third Edition, Revised 
and Rewritten, with Index. 

No. ix. PHARMACY. Based upon " Remington's Text-book 
of Pharmacy." By F. E. Stewart, m.d., ph. g., Quiz-Master 
at Philadelphia College of Pharmacy. Fourth Edition, Revised. 

No. 12. VETERINARY ANATOMY AND PHYSIOL- 
OGY. 29 Illustrations. By Wm. R. Ballou, m.d., Prof, of 
Equine Anatomy at N. Y. College of Veterinary Surgeons. 

No. 13. DENTAL PATHOLOGY AND DENTAL MEDI- 
CINE. Containing all the most noteworthy points of interest 
to the Dental student. Second Edition. By Geo. W. Warren, 
d.d.s., Clinical Chief, Penn'a College of Dental Surgery, Phila- 
delphia. Second Edition, Enlarged and Illustrated. 

No. 14. DISEASES OF CHILDREN. By Dr. Marcus P. 
Hatfield, Prof, of Diseases of Children, Chicago Medical 
College. Colored Plate. 

No. 15. GENERAL PATHOLOGY AND MORBID 
ANATOMY. By H. Newbery Hall, m. d., Professor of 
Pathology and Medical Chemistry Post-Graduate School ; Sur- 
geon Emergency Hospital, Chicago, etc. 91 Illustrations. 
Bound in Cloth, $1. Interleaved, for the Addition of Notes, $1.25. 
J^^* No series of books are so cotnplete in detail, concise 

in language, or so well printed and bound. Each one 

forms a complete set of notes upon the subject under con- 
sideration. 

Illustrated Descriptive Circular Free. 



25,000 COPIES 
Of These Books Have Already Been Sold. 

GOULD'S STUDENT'S 

Medical Dictionary. 

Based on Recent Medical Literature. 




Small 8vo, Half Morocco, as above, with Thumb Index, . . $4.25 
Plain Dark Leather, without Thumb Index, 3.25 



A compact, concise Vocabulary, including all 
the Words and Phrases used in medicine, with 
their proper Pronunciation and Definitions. 



"One pleasing feature of the book is that the reader can almost 
invariably find the definition under the word he looks for, without 
being referred from one place to another, as is too commonly the 
case in medical dictionaries. The tables of the bacilli, micrococci, 
leucomai'nes and ptomaines are excellent, and contain a large 
amount of information in a limited space. The anatomical tables 
are also concise and clear. . . . We should unhesitatingly 
recommend this dictionary to our readers, feeling sure that it will 
prove of much value to them." — American Journal of Medical 
Science. 

JUST PUBLISHED. 
GOULD'S POCKET DICTIONARY. 12,000 
Medical Words Pronounced and Defined. 
Leather, gilt edges, $1.00; with Thumb Index, #1.25 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



0QQ2L, 12^345 



